Ecoact’s ninth annual report shows that the FTSE 100 has a growing commitment to climate action, reflected by an increase in the number of companies setting science-based targets, using renewable energy, and reporting climate-related risks following the recommendations of the TCFD.

However, despite progress from the top performers, the scores awarded by EcoAct in its index as a whole are moving slowly and the index average has decreased from last year, although this is in part due to a more stringent scoring methodology.

The leaders are, in order:
1. Unilever
2. Marks & Spencer
3. BT Group
4. Tesco
5 =Mondi
5= Landsec
5= Coca-cola HBC
8. National Grid
9= Centrica
9= Royal Dutch Shell
11. Aviva
12. SSE (soon to be part of OVO)
13= BHP Group
13= British Land
15. RBS
16. HSBC
17= United Utilities
17= Anglo American
19. Barclays
20= GlaxoSmithKline
20= Astrazeneca

Outside the top twenty, Burberry was the highest climber, moving up 42 places, resulting from it introducing SBTs and a pledge to carbon neutrality by 2022 and renewable energy. Currently, 47 per cent of the FTSE 100 are committed to or have set SBTs.

Overall, 81 per cent of companies set carbon reduction targets (with 58 per cent on target to meet them) and 32 per cent include Scop3 emissions in their targets.
Within the FTSE the different levels of engagement on differing areas is considerable. Nearly all (99 per cent) now measure carbon emissions, but a full 27 per cent do not even mention SDGs.

On energy use, 77 per cent of companies use renewable energy, with 96 per cent implementing efficiency projects. Eight per cent are now fully carbon neutral, with 15 per cent committing to the idea.

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