Why openness matters in climate action

The predominant narrative can't be changed by simply pointing to technological developments, financial investment in clean energy or green policy changes. All of that is important. But as individuals we will not be open to the narrative of capacity, capability and agency unless we touch that openness within ourselves, unless we are aware of the fact that we are incredibly powerful: that our thoughts, our words and our actions have an effect on the outside world, and that therefore we can, if we collectively choose to, address climate change in the timeframe that science has established. But it must start at the roots of who we are, who we want to be in this world, and how we show up.

Remember those bold corporate climate commitments? Yeah… about that Lately, I’ve noticed a worrying trend—companies quietly walking away from their climate pledges, hoping no one will notice. In New Zealand, several firms have dropped out of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) without a word. No announcements. No explanations. Just… gone. And they’re not alone. Globally, over 200 major companies—including Microsoft, Unilever, and Walmart—were recently delisted from SBTi for failing to follow through. Meanwhile, financial giants like Citigroup and Bank of America have exited the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. So, what’s going on? And why should we care? Why are companies backing out? Many signed up for climate commitments when the pressure was high—investors, customers, and employees were demanding action. But now, with economic challenges, changing regulations, and less scrutiny, some are quietly retreating. Decarbonization isn’t easy. It takes investment, structural changes, and real effort. But instead of being transparent about their struggles, companies are just… disappearing from these initiatives. Why does this matter? When companies break their climate promises, it’s not just disappointing—it’s dangerous. 1️⃣ It erodes trust – If companies can make big sustainability claims and walk away without consequences, how do we know who’s serious? 2️⃣ It slows down progress – If major corporations backtrack, it signals to others that climate action is optional. 3️⃣ It risks greenwashing – These commitments often drive PR and goodwill. But if there’s no accountability, it becomes all talk, no action. What should companies do instead? Backing out isn’t the problem—silence is. If companies are struggling to meet targets, they should: ✔️ Be transparent about the challenges ✔️ Adjust their strategy, rather than abandon it ✔️ Engage with stakeholders to find real solutions What can we do? As consumers, employees, and investors, we have power. We can: 💡 Ask companies tough questions about their progress 💡 Support businesses that are serious about sustainability 💡 Push for policies that make climate commitments enforceable #sustainability #greenhushing #esg

Aotearoa New Zealand is not truly committed to climate action. And in a world where sustainability is a necessity, Aotearoa New Zealand’s reputation as a green and clean nation stands at a crossroads. Recent data [https://lnkd.in/gG_sxAr8] shows that just 14 companies are responsible for three-quarters of our greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture accounting for more than half. Giants like Fonterra, Z Energy, and Silver Fern Farms dominate the emissions landscape. This raises urgent questions about our genuine commitment to climate action. Why? Because actions speak louder than words: The government is passing legislation to stop the publication of company-level greenhouse gas emissions from farms. The decision has sparked fierce debate, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability in our approach to climate change. The government’s recent decision to legislate against the publication of farm-level greenhouse gas emissions has sparked fierce debate. Critics warn that this move could tarnish New Zealand’s global brand, which is deeply rooted in perceptions of environmental stewardship. In the face of climate change, transparency is more crucial than ever. Stakeholders—from consumers to investors—need access to accurate data to hold companies accountable and drive meaningful change. Ending public reporting of farm-level emissions is a step backward, reducing the pressure on major emitters to innovate and cut their carbon footprint. As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets done.” Without transparency, I fear we’ll erode the trust of our international partners, who value environmental integrity in their supply chains. For New Zealand, a nation that prides itself on leading in sustainability, this could have far-reaching consequences. Globally, nations and corporations are increasingly judged by their commitment to climate pledges. For New Zealand, a country that markets itself with images of pristine landscapes and kaitiakitanga, rolling back transparency could damage our brand, affecting tourism, trade, and beyond. The agriculture sector is vital to our economy, but it must adapt to a climate-conscious world. Removing agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme and stopping farm-level emissions reporting signals a lack of genuine commitment to fighting climate change. As business leaders, we must champion transparency and lead with integrity. A genuine commitment to sustainability and innovation will keep New Zealand a global pioneer and safeguard its reputation. The time to act is now—to ensure that our brand reflects the values we uphold and the future we wish to create for generations to come. Hōake tātou! Ps it’s worth noting: “Emissions from the coal Fonterra burns are instead assigned to the company that mined the coal domestically or imported it from overseas.” #ClimateAction | #Transparency | #CleanGreen | #Kaitiakitanga

🌍 How transparent are climate funds? The pressure is on to meet the new $300 billion climate finance goal by 2035. How can we tell if we’re on track? And how do we know that climate finance is effective, efficient and equitable? 🔎 To answer these questions, transparency is vital.   Multilateral climate funds play a key role in channelling these resources. Our latest research, Better Data for Better Outcomes, examines the transparency of the four largest climate funds, Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, Climate Investment Funds - CIF, and Adaptation Fund, which collectively manage nearly $50 billion in pledged funding. Our key findings: ✅ These funds share good financial and project-level data on their own websites. ⚠️ However, only one (GEF) publishes open data in the International Aid Transparency Initiative Standard. 🚧 This lack of standardisation hinders comparability with other climate, development, and humanitarian finance, making it harder for stakeholders to coordinate efforts and track impact. We recommend that all climate funds enhance their transparency by: 🔹 Aligning with international reporting standards 🔹 Publishing granular, accessible data 🔹 Improving disclosures on project results, implementing partners, and funding allocations Greater transparency means better coordination, more effective spending, and ensuring climate finance reaches those who need it most. At Publish What You Fund, we’re committed to driving this change and are keen to work with climate funds to make it happen. See the detailed findings here: https://lnkd.in/ecDy6RX7    #ClimateFinance #Transparency #COP29 #SustainableFinance Climate Policy Initiative International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Eurodad - the European Network on Debt and Development ODI Global Center for Global Development E3G SEEK Development - Strategic and Organizational Consultants International Institute for Sustainable Development Bank Information Center Bretton Woods Project Climate Bonds Initiative Climate Action Tracker ClimateWorks Foundation

Transparency is a key principle in sustainability initiatives and plays a crucial role in fostering trust, accountability, and progress. Here's why transparency in sustainability is vital: 1. Accountability: Transparency allows stakeholders, including individuals, communities, and organizations, to hold each other accountable for their sustainability actions. By being transparent about goals, progress, and challenges, there is greater visibility into the efforts being made and the results achieved. This helps ensure that commitments are met and motivates continuous improvement. 2. Trust and credibility: By being open and transparent about sustainability practices, organizations can build trust with their stakeholders. Transparency demonstrates a commitment to ethical conduct, responsible practices, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. This fosters credibility and enhances reputation, attracting customers, investors, and partners who share the same values. 3. Data-driven decision making: Transparency in sustainability initiatives requires the disclosure of relevant data and information. This data serves as a basis for informed decision making, both for organizations and individuals. When accurate and reliable information is accessible to everyone, it can guide actions, investments, and policies that drive sustainability. 4. Collaboration and learning: Transparency encourages collaboration among different stakeholders, including businesses, governments, non-profit organizations, and individuals. Openly sharing information, best practices, and lessons learned allows for collective learning and collective action. Transparency enables the exchange of knowledge and experiences, accelerating progress towards shared sustainability goals. 5. Consumer empowerment: Transparency empowers consumers to make sustainable choices. When organizations provide clear and accurate information about their products, supply chains, and environmental impact, consumers can make informed decisions that align with their values. Transparency enables consumers to support companies with sustainable practices, driving market demand for greener products and services. 6. Continuous improvement: Transparency facilitates learning from mistakes and encourages continuous improvement in sustainability initiatives. By openly sharing challenges and failures, organizations can learn from past experiences, adjust strategies, and implement more effective solutions. Transparency helps create a culture of learning and innovation that drives progress towards more sustainable practices. In conclusion, transparency is essential in sustainability initiatives as it promotes accountability, trust, data-driven decision making, collaboration, consumer empowerment, and continuous improvement. By being open and transparent, we can foster a more sustainable future for our planet and society. #SustainbleInitiatives #SustainableDevelopment #Accountability

A lack of transparency often raises questions about whether there’s something to hide, and this is especially true for companies and organizations involved in climate and sustainability initiatives. In many cases, entities may be hesitant to disclose their environmental impact data because it reveals areas where they’re falling short or are out of alignment with their sustainability goals. Publicly sharing information about high emissions, excessive water use, or waste generation can attract criticism and pressure to make improvements that may require significant investment, changes in operations, or both. In some instances, companies fear that transparency could lead to negative consumer perceptions, loss of investor confidence, or legal scrutiny. For example, acknowledging a high carbon footprint or inefficient resource management can impact a brand's image, particularly among eco-conscious consumers, and even lead to reputational damage. However, hiding this information can often backfire in the long term. When organizations are eventually found to be less sustainable than they claimed, it not only affects trust but can also lead to intensified public backlash and stricter regulations. Ironically, organizations that embrace transparency—despite these challenges—often gain respect and credibility. Being honest about shortcomings can attract support from consumers, investors, and activists who value progress over perfection. Transparency signals a commitment to continuous improvement and invites collaboration, making it easier to find solutions and partners willing to help on the journey toward sustainability. So, are you hiding something? Video Source: UN Climate Change #sustainability #climatechange #esg #business

📢New Article 🌍 As COP29 unfolds in Baku, we get reminded that tackling today's planetary challenges will require a bold, collaborative approach rooted in #openscience. ➡️ At the heart of this effort are two foundational pillars: Data Commons and Data Stewardship. Together, they operationalize the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and unlock the full potential of data to drive innovation and solutions. 🔑 Data Commons enable shared access to data, breaking silos and fostering global collaboration. They ensure that resources like climate data or generative AI training sets are equitably accessible, empowering diverse stakeholders to tackle our biggest challenges together. 🛡️ Data Stewardship ensures that data is made accessible for re-use responsibly, building trust and sustainability. Stewards play a vital role in safeguarding data integrity, enhancing transparency, and ensuring long-term usability and sustainability. 🤔 These twin pillars are critical to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and impactful data ecosystem that can accelerate progress toward addressing today's global polycrisis. 💻Read: https://lnkd.in/eXxnqSnK ✍️ With co-author Jean-Claude Burgelman 💻 See also: The need for climate data stewardship: 10 tensions and reflections regarding climate data governance: https://lnkd.in/eve6-X6N #COP29 #OpenScience #DataCommons #DataStewardship #FAIRprinciples #ClimateAction #Sustainability #AIforGood #Polycrisis

🌏💡 As Pakistan aligns its #climateaction with global standards, the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) plays a pivotal role. Pakistan's updated NDCs reflect a commitment to a ⬇ 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. But how do we ensure these are not just numbers but actionable targets? The ETF provides a robust mechanism for reviewing and improving NDCs. It requires detailed reporting in Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), technical expert review, and a subsequent Facilitative, Multilateral Consideration of Progress (FMCP). This process ensures that Pakistan's actions are scrutinised and improved upon, fostering a transparent and accountable climate response. Pakistan's NDCs will be assessed against a backdrop of international standards, ensuring that our domestic policies translate into meaningful and transparent contributions to the global #climateeffort. We're not just setting goals; we're committing to an open and collaborative review process that will guide our progress every step of the way. Though this is my personal view, I believe that further collaboration and synergy between governmental departments needs to be strengthened to achieve #transparency and #accuracy of the data. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #PakistanNDCs #ETFramework #unfccc

Carbon credits, transparency, and real climate action: what companies need to get right As someone who has spent years validating and auditing carbon projects across different countries and contexts, I can say with confidence: carbon credits are not shortcuts — they are powerful tools when used with integrity. Nature-Based Solutions ( REDD+ projects, reforestation, agroforestry), waste management and renewable energy are not just climate strategies — they are opportunities to generate environmental, social, and strategic value. According to the WWF and IPCC, NBS could contribute up to 37% of the carbon mitigation needed by 2030. But this potential only becomes reality when there is transparency, traceability, and credibility.  Unfortunately, the voluntary carbon market has faced real scrutiny. Low-quality credits and vague sustainability claims have created uncertainty and made it harder for serious actors to stand out. We’re seeing a paradox: those who take action are often criticized the most, while companies doing little go unnoticed. This is why real climate transparency is essential. That means: 🔹 Measuring and disclosing your carbon footprint 🔹 Reducing what you can internally 🔹 Using high-integrity carbon credits only to offset unavoidable residual emissions 🔹 Being honest about progress — and limitations Because simply saying you’re “green” or "nether" is no longer enough. You have to prove it. Well-structured carbon projects — verified under robust methodologies, audited independently, and delivering real co-benefits — do much more than offset emissions. They preserve biodiversity, support communities, create rural jobs, and protect vital ecosystems. Yes, there are challenges: proving additionality, ensuring permanence, navigating land tenure, securing community engagement, and facing regulatory uncertainty. But there are also solutions: ✔ Strong local partnerships ✔ Advanced monitoring technologies (AI, remote sensing, satellite) ✔ Transparent governance and clear legal structures ✔ Skilled, mission-driven technical teams When done right, NBS and high-quality carbon projects represent a win-win solution: for the planet, for people, and for the companies willing to invest responsibly. My view as an Auditor is clear: Carbon credits are not an end — they are a means. And like any powerful instrument, they must be used ethically, strategically, and with a real commitment to climate integrity.

As more companies embrace transparency and share environmental data, one platform’s shift raises concern. For years, CDP has been a cornerstone of voluntary environmental disclosure. Tens of thousands of companies have contributed data, and CDP made this information freely accessible to users worldwide. This open model empowered sustainability professionals—including myself—to benchmark, analyze, and drive progress. But recently, access has changed. CDP now restricts general users from downloading individual company reports without a subscription or partnership. While tools like the Corporate Environmental Action Tracker still offer aggregated insights, the move away from open access to detailed disclosures feels like a step backward. In a time when trust, transparency, and collaboration are more critical than ever, we need more openness—not less. Let’s keep sustainability accessible, credible, and inclusive. #Sustainability #Transparency #OpenData #CDP #ClimateAction #ESG #Accountability