Investor engagement initiative Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) has unveiled its second phase, which will see focus shift from corporate climate-related disclosure to the adoption of climate transition plans for corporates. The new phase, which will run until 2030, targets a global increase in active ownership and the creation of long-term shareholder value. Key changes as part of phase two includes the CA100+ encouraging signatories to ask companies to move from “words to action” through the implementation of a governance framework, taking action to reduce value chain greenhouse gas emissions and providing enhanced corporate disclosure on, and implementing, transition plans. It will also introduce lead sector investor and lead thematic investor categories to “improve and expand” investor participation. Lead investors will be requested to submit an annual engagement schedule and disclose votes and rationales on CA100+ flagged votes to enhance the “lead engagement model with stronger and more robust engagement strategies”. CA100+ has also enhanced its Net Zero Company Benchmark. Since the initiative’s 2018 launch, the number of focus companies committed to net zero has risen from 5 to 124 (75%) firms. Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO at the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, said: “This next phase of Climate Action 100+ will provide investors with more opportunities to exercise their active ownerships rights and ensure investors have a reliable, independent way to stay on top of company’s progress, from their capital strategy to real-world emissions reductions”. CA100+ also recently issued net zero standards for mining companies.
