ACC News Brief
Climate Policy Global
Seven checks expose widespread gaps in corporate climate pledges
What happened
Researchers evaluated 3,574 companies with climate claims against seven indicators of pledge-integrity risk. They found that 96% had at least one indicator, including missing Scope 3 coverage, questionable reliance on offsets, absent interim targets, missing implementation plans, limited reported progress, or misalignment between pledges and lobbying.
Why it matters
A net-zero label alone does not establish a credible transition plan. Consistent checks can help the public, investors, and regulators evaluate whether a pledge includes measurable steps, while a flagged gap does not by itself prove deception, intent, or unlawful conduct.
What to watch
- Independent replication using public, consistently defined, and regularly updated company disclosures.
- More complete Scope 3 accounting, interim targets, implementation plans, and evidence of progress.
- Whether regulators and standards bodies adopt graded, sector-specific tests rather than a single pass-or-fail label.
Sources & evidence
- Red flags in green promises: a framework for identifying greenwashing risk in corporate climate pledgesPeer-reviewed npj Climate Action research article published February 7, 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s44168-026-00346-6. The framework identifies risk indicators and does not establish deceptive intent.
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