Holding Companies Accountable for Net Zero Promises ft. Kyra Bell-Pasht (Investors for Paris Compliance)
If you or your company are interested in reducing your environmental impact, you have likely already heard the term “Net Zero”. These commitments to reducing emissions can be made by organizations, municipalities and even counties.
Furthermore, if you are someone who is looking to invest in environmentally-responsible companies, this is likely a term that you are on the lookout for.
That being said, reading through countless corporate sustainability reports can be a very long, somewhat confusing process. Even the best intentioned investor might not have the full time or understanding to decipher real, meaningful commitments from straight up greenwashing.
Enter the world of climate shareholder activist organizations.
In this episode, our guest Kyra Bell-Pasht, Director of Policy and Research at one such organization, dives into what Net Zero means, the steps organizations like hers take to hold companies accountable for their pledges, what steps leaders can take to get started on their sustainability journey, and the fascinating overlap of law, capitalism, and climate mitigation.
(0:00) Intro
(2:25) Kyra in her own words
(4:58) A duty to help others
(6:42) Defining Net Zero
(9:54) Greenwashing in the world of Net Zero Claims
(12:46) The role of climate shareholder activist organizations
(17:48) Private equity, Net Zero claims, and avoiding regulatory disclosures
(19:17) The Canadian economic landscape, oil sands and climate claims
(20:17) The biggest obstacle and opportunity for companies on the path to Net Zero
(23:18) Steps investors can take to navigate ESG reports
(27:54) How recent law grads or mid-career lawyers can transition to the world of sustainability
(30:30) What it will take for businesses and leaders to be resilient going forward
