Toray aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 but is most likely heading towards a 2°C to 3°C scenario by 2030. Without stronger absolute reduction commitments, enhanced supply chain accountability, and clearer links between incentives and Net Zero goals, Toray appears unlikely to align with the more ambitious 1.5°C target.

Financial institutions are exposed to significant economic risks from deep sea mining. Planet Tracker provides financial institutions with recommendations on how to develop investment and financing policies on this issue.

Planet Tracker’s latest analysis reveals critical gaps in BASF’s climate transition strategy. Whilst the company may be on track for a 2°C pathway by 2030, significant challenges remain to achieve the more ambitious 1.5°C target.

The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) aimed at developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, commonly called the Global Plastics Treaty, has concluded in Busan, South Korea. No agreement was reached although this was expected to be the final round. While some progress was made, unresolved disagreements on critical measures such as capping plastic production and addressing hazardous chemicals, prevented consensus. An additional round (INC-5.2) is expected to be held next year. Planet Tracker urges financial institutions, policymakers, and businesses to strengthen their efforts and stand firm in advocating for a treaty that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution.

Planet Tracker has released the third update of its Nature Scorecard, adding a further 178 companies, reflecting the latest developments in corporate biodiversity commitments and natural capital. It now incorporates the latest Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) adopters as well as those included in the Morningstar Sustainalytics’ Biodiversity and Natural Capital Thematic Stewardship Programme. The Nature Scorecard serves as a vital resource for stakeholders monitoring the evolving landscape of biodiversity stewardship and aims to equip stakeholders with essential insights to drive impactful nature-related reporting.

This Nature Scorecard examines over 470 corporates which are involved in nature-related frameworks and initiatives. It analyses corporate involvement across 3 voluntary (TNFD early adopter, SBTN submission or appointment of a nature executive ) and 3 involuntary frameworks and initiatives (Nature Action 100, PRI Spring, Forest 500 score) – i.e. being named by investors as a nature focus companies whether they like it or not.

Dow, the global chemical company aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. However, analysis by Planet Tracker suggests Dow’s mid-term climate strategy is not ambitious enough to align with the well-below 2°C pathway, instead aligning closer to a 3°C warming scenario by 2030.
Based on Planet Tracker’s assessment, to meet the well-below 2°C pathway by 2030 and its 2050 carbon neutrality goal, Dow would need to set more ambitious reduction targets, clearly link its investments to emissions reductions, and improve transparency in its sustainability initiatives.

There is a nature financing gap. The precise numbers vary but plans to close the gap partially rely on the reallocation of harmful subsidies to nature-based solutions. This paper briefly examines whether such a strategy is realistic. We observe that a range of countries have successfully eliminated subsidies – so it can be done – but others failed. We need to learn how the former delivered subsidy reform, and why others were unsuccessful.

Financial markets spend much of their time focused on risk and return metrics. The generally accepted relationship is that one needs to take on more investment risk to realise a higher return. If the investor is unwilling to take on risk, they should expect to receive the risk-free rate – e.g. a risk-free bond. But this assumes efficient pricing. Planet Tracker believes that the risks of synthetic chemicals are not being correctly priced by financial markets. A reassessment of the risk premium applied to producers and users of these substances looks wise.

Planet Tracker joins with Vizzuality for a “nature footprinting” study which highlights the urgent need for corporations to improve supply chain traceability.