Decarbonisation Insights from P&G, GM & Baker McKenzie
Climate change is having a significant impact on the world, with an increase in droughts, floods and heatwaves which have an influence on the wellbeing of the entire global population, according to the United Nations.
Around the world countries are under pressure to drastically reduce the use of carbon intensive production or switch to low emission technologies and renewable alternatives.
As outlined in the Paris Agreement, there is a global target to reduce emissions and reach net zero by 2050.
At Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC 2025 leaders in the race to net zero will share their strategies to decarbonise at the Global Decarbonization Strategies panel.
What is global decarbonisation?
Decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing the carbon intensity in areas like goods manufacturing, services and how energy is produced.
The process is mainly focused on reducing the emittance of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion.
Industries can decarbonise through various methods, such as:
- Transitioning to renewable energy
- Improving energy efficiency
- Carbon capture
- Using low carbon fuels
- Adopting a circular economy
- Investing in EVs.
Simon Stiell, Climate Change Executive Secretary, UN, said: “The climate crisis is still outpacing countries’ efforts to contain it.
“This is impacting millions of lives and resulting in trillions of dollars of damage and destruction all around the world.
“To reach the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5 degrees we need to cut emissions by 43% by 2030.”
How are companies supporting global decarbonisation?
Baker McKenzie is a law firm that advises leading companies on their decarbonisation strategies.
The company advised Kimberly Clark on its agreement to invest in the UK green hydrogen sector - which could reduce carbon emissions by 28,500 tonnes annually.
Richard Blunt, Global Chair of the Energy and Infrastructure Practice at Baker McKenzie, said: “Our ability to guide this vanguard green energy transition deal to a successful conclusion is testament to the bench-strength of the Baker McKenzie energy team and our investment in global expertise. As the energy transition deepens, we will support our clients to remain market leaders.”
P&G manufactures consumer goods. It aims to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
It has made changes by reducing operational and supply chain GHG emissions, utilising renewable electricity and optimising the life cycle of its products.
Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer, says: “To achieve these goals, we will leverage existing solutions and seek transformative new ones that are not available in the marketplace today.
“This will require partnership across the private, non-profit and public sectors and involve every aspect of our business, from the beginning of our products’ lifecycle to the very end.”
General Motors is an automotive company that has made great strides in the EV sector, currently holding the record for manufacturing an EV with the longest range.
The company has various initiatives in place in areas such as environmental stewardship, innovation, social responsibility and governance to support the company in decarbonising its entire value chain.
Mary Barra, CEO, General Motors, says: “We’ve made tremendous strides through our investments and innovations in electric and autonomous technology, and we’re going to expand our reach, especially with many important EV launches across a wide range of price points and segments.”
More about Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC
The Global Decarbonisation Strategies panel will bring together industry leaders to discuss successful approaches to achieve net zero emissions.
Speakers on the panel include:
- Pierre-François Thaler, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, EcoVadis
- Alyssa Auberger, Chief Sustainability Officer, Baker McKenzie
- Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer at Proctor and Gamble
- Cassandra Garber, Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors
- Hedwig Sietsma, Global Director Sustainability, Fugro.
This panel is one of the many important conversations that will take place at Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC, a one-day event that will capture the most pressing climate concerns in the industry.
Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC 2025 is a platform that allows leaders with a shared ambition to accelerate the progress to net zero, to collaborate and come to new climate solutions.
Secure your place to attend to avoid missing out on the conversation.
