MRS Swaps In More Achievable 'Climate Pledge'

UK-based association the MRS is replacing its Net Zero Pledge with a new initiative, the MRS Climate Pledge, which it says is 'designed to encourage businesses to take positive actions towards achieving net zero in the shortest timeframe feasible'.

The association acknowledges confusion between the terms 'Carbon Neutral' and 'Net Zero': the former simply requires a company to 'reduce emissions somewhat' and then offset the rest, while the definition of the latter has evolved to require 'a 90% reduction in Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions before carbon removal/offset' (according to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)).

The MRS says this makes Net Zero 'too challenging for most MRS Company Partners to achieve by 2026', and has therefore introduced a new Pledge which focuses on four key areas: tracking, reduction, transparency and collaboration. Also new is a Climate Action list which aims to help guide member organisations on the key steps in meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions.

Existing signees are being migrated to the new Pledge, which the association says 'should encourage greater levels of positive behavioural change rather than putting off potential signees with unachievable goals'. Progress will be measured through an Annual Pledge Tracking Survey where signatories must provide demonstrable evidence of their achievements in each area of the pledge, relative to previous years.

The MRS says the new Pledge should also help firms get accustomed to climate reporting - a task currently expected only of large corporates but likely in future to extend down the scale.

More details are available from mrs.ceo@mrs.org.uk and the MRS (Market Research Society) is online at www.mrs.org.uk .