Five years on from the Paris Agreement, we stand at a historic crossroads. We leave 2020 with the world facing converging crises in climate, nature, the economy and public health. These must be tackled together with systemic change. The next ten years – the Climate Decade – will make or break our prospects of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. As we look back at the progress made since 2015, we are celebrating the cities and companies leading the way on environmental transparency and action.

Our CEO Paul Simpson looks back at a year which showed it is impossible to return to ‘normal’. Despite the pandemic, many companies, investors, cities, and regions worldwide demonstrated extraordinary environmental leadership and ambition in 2020. As CDP celebrates its 20th year anniversary, it is clearer than ever that the time for action is now – and we must set our sights on a net zero, deforestation-free, water-secure future.

313 companies reached CDP’s A List this year – a major 45% increase compared to 2019. Corporate environmental awareness is growing, with a record 9,600+ businesses disclosing through CDP in 2020.10 companies were awarded a triple A across climate, forests and water, including Danone HP Inc, KAO Corp and L’Oréal.

Despite the pressures of COVID-19, 88 cities received the highest CDP rating for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build climate resilience. The number of 2020 A List cities reporting emissions reduction targets has more than doubled since 2015 – and 38% of these cities are setting net zero targets by 2050 or earlier.

Cities cover less than 2% of the world’s surface, yet account for around 70% of emissions. Mirjam Wolfrum (Director Policy Engagement, CDP Europe) outlines how cities are on the frontline of climate change, what they are doing to build resilience and how policymakers can drive more environmental disclosure.

Our new analysis, ‘Raising Ambitions Towards Sustainable Palm Oil in Indonesia’ estimates that forests-related risks from companies using palm oil from Indonesia has reached $US10 billion in 2020 – double compared to the previous year. A new CDP policy brief also looks at how companies are supporting sustainable development action plans in Indonesia.

As COP26 approaches, new research from the Climate Group and CDP finds that only 21% of states and regions have been consulted on national climate action plans by their national counterparts. We call for further action as we enter the Climate Decade – especially from governments – to actively address ongoing deforestation and forest degradation.

A new CDP policy brief provides three recommendations for policymakers to ensure the net-zero transition remains firmly underway: (1) Strengthen Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategies (2) Ensure climate risks are transparently managed while transitioning to net-zero and (3) Drive action to reduce deforestation through supply chains.

Our new report ‘Hungry for Change’ analyzes 504 companies and concludes that achieving the Paris Agreement goals will only be possible through a transformation of the global food system, as leading companies are vastly underestimating key environmental risks. Even if fossil fuels are completely eliminated, GHG emissions from the global food system may hamper progress to limit warming – and the next ten years are critical.

Despite 2020’s challenges, RE100’s latest progress report shows that corporate demand for renewable power continues to grow. Learn how 260+ RE100 members are progressing towards their 100% renewable electricity goals, yet still facing barriers in some key markets.

As CDP’s 20th anniversary celebrations continue, we spoke to Damandeep Singh, who has headed up the CDP India office since establishing it in 2012. Damandeep discusses how CDP has evolved, why Indian companies should disclose through CDP and outlines his vision for the next 20 years.

Katie Walsh (Head of Cities, States and Regions for CDP North America) joined the Mayor of Dubuque, Iowa, Roy D. Buol – a keen public supporter of the Paris Agreement – on the day of its fifth anniversary to talk about how the city is implementing strategies to reduce emissions and build resilience.