Dentsu international has become one of the first companies in the world to have its net-zero target validated by the globally recognised Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Only seven global organisations have had their target formally validated against the new global net-zero standard that calls for greater transparency and alignment between corporate net-zero targets. Dentsu is joined by  AstraZeneca, CVS Health, Holcim, JLL, Orsted and Wipro.

Dentsu’s target includes a new deep decarbonisation target to reduce absolute emissions by 90% by 2040 across its entire value chain.

There has been an influx of net-zero commitments from companies in recent years, with 80% of global GDP covered by commitments to reach net zero. However, the quality and ambition of such commitments have been inconsistent. The new SBTi Net-Zero Standard provides a common, robust, science-based understanding of net-zero. Under the new standard, companies reach net-zero when they have achieved their long-term science-based target. This requires deep decarbonization of 90-95% before 2050 for most companies.

Wendy Clark, chief executive officer, dentsu international, stated, “At dentsu we are proud to be one of the first companies to have our net-zero target validated by the SBTi. The IPCC report shows that long-term action on carbon is essential to limit the worst impacts of climate change. Our new long-term plan sets an ambition that matters to our people, our clients and society. It will require innovation, diversity of thought, creativity and multi-sector collaboration. That’s the type of challenge our 45,000+ people embrace.”

Dentsu’s new long-term deep decarbonisation target is a first for its industry. It follows the launch of dentsu’s near-term science-based target in 2020 to reduce absolute emissions by 46.2% by 2030.

Anna Lungley, chief sustainability officer, dentsu international, noted, “The SBTi has set the bar on climate action high, providing clear guidelines that focus on deep decarbonisation over the long-term. The new SBTi Net-Zero Standard will create alignment, facilitate investment and most importantly, drive action. At dentsu we are committed to the most ambitious level of climate action and won’t claim net-zero until we get there.”

Alberto Carrillo Pineda, co-founder and managing director of the SBTi, commented, “Companies are currently self-defining net-zero targets without credible and independent assessment of their ambition and integrity. For the first time, the SBTi Net-Zero Standard offers companies robust certification to demonstrate to consumers, investors and regulators that their net-zero targets are reducing emissions at the pace and scale required to keep global warming to 1.5°C. We’re now inviting all companies with net-zero targets and ambitions to show stakeholders that their decarbonization pathway is aligned with science. And the rest of the business sector – we call on you to join the Race to Zero.”