URB-D.01.B - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target
Does the company set targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Cities and urban areas account for over 70% of the world’s CO2 emissions (Dasgupta, Lall,
& Wheeler, 2022; UNEP, n.d.). Many of these emissions come from motor vehicles, industrial activities,
and the heating and cooling of buildings that rely on fossil fuels. This indicator assesses companies’
reporting and activities related to reduction of GHG emissions. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions
from sources owned by the company, while scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased
electricity, steam, heating or cooling. Scope 3 emissions result from activities associated with assets
not owned or controlled by the company but indirectly influenced by the company’s value chain. (US
EPA, 2023).
Research Guidance
This element will be BASIC if:
Valid Targets >= 1
Additional conditions to be STANDARD:
ALL of the following conditions should be true:
Number of S1+2 valid targets >= 1
ANY of the following conditions should be true:
The following statement should not be true:
Significant S3 Emissions
Number of S3 valid targets >= 1
Additional conditions to be ADVANCED:
If:
Significant S3 Emissions
Then:
Valid Targets >= 4
Else:
Number of S1+2 valid targets >= 2
Additional conditions to be NEXT PRACTICE:
Valid Targets >= 4
Additional conditions to be LOW-CARBON ALIGNED:
ALL of the following conditions should be true:
Number of S1+2 SBTi validated targets >= 2
ANY of the following conditions should be true:
The following statement should not be true:
Significant S3 Emissions
Number of S3 SBTi validated targets >= 2
& Wheeler, 2022; UNEP, n.d.). Many of these emissions come from motor vehicles, industrial activities,
and the heating and cooling of buildings that rely on fossil fuels. This indicator assesses companies’
reporting and activities related to reduction of GHG emissions. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions
from sources owned by the company, while scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased
electricity, steam, heating or cooling. Scope 3 emissions result from activities associated with assets
not owned or controlled by the company but indirectly influenced by the company’s value chain. (US
EPA, 2023).
Research Guidance
This element will be BASIC if:
Valid Targets >= 1
Additional conditions to be STANDARD:
ALL of the following conditions should be true:
Number of S1+2 valid targets >= 1
ANY of the following conditions should be true:
The following statement should not be true:
Significant S3 Emissions
Number of S3 valid targets >= 1
Additional conditions to be ADVANCED:
If:
Significant S3 Emissions
Then:
Valid Targets >= 4
Else:
Number of S1+2 valid targets >= 2
Additional conditions to be NEXT PRACTICE:
Valid Targets >= 4
Additional conditions to be LOW-CARBON ALIGNED:
ALL of the following conditions should be true:
Number of S1+2 SBTi validated targets >= 2
ANY of the following conditions should be true:
The following statement should not be true:
Significant S3 Emissions
Number of S3 SBTi validated targets >= 2
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report