Decoupling the climate walk from the climate talk: Evidence from Australia

Abstract

A lack of regulation around greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has led Australian companies to employ arbitrary targets for measuring GHG emissions reduction, which are not translating to the level of emissions reduction required to meet global targets. Despite the well accepted urgency of climate change action, there is a gap in literature with no studies discussing the effectiveness of the various targets for measuring GHG emissions to meet global emission reduction goal. Using correlation and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis, our study of Australian Stock Exchange listed companies shows that the targets suggested by Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) are the most closely associated with the required emissions reduction. The findings from this study advocate that organisations adopt TCFD recommendations for achieving optimal reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to meet the global targets. Our findings should inform policymakers and practice to align targets to the TCFD recommendations to meet the global emissions reduction commitments and mitigate the most severe impacts of climate change.