The new MRS Climate Pledge: building sustainability in the research sector

Human-driven climate change is a problem which can no longer be ignored. All businesses, including organisations in the research sector, have a key role to play in the transformations needed to create a sustainable future.

On the 5 June, MRS launched the new MRS Climate Pledge (replacing the MRS Net Zero Pledge) in line with the recommendations of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The new pledge focuses in on four key areas: tracking, reduction, transparency and collaboration.

The changes within the new Climate Pledge reflect the evolved global understanding of net zero.  In particular, that there is now a distinction drawn between carbon neutral and net zero. It is now widely accepted that true Net Zero means 90% reduction in Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions before carbon removal/offset. An outcome too challenging for most MRS Company Partners to achieve by 2026.

The MRS Sustainability Council decided to reflect global best practice in a new Pledge for 2024 that should encourage greater levels of positive behavioural change.    

This webinar will outline the new requirements within the MRS Climate Pledge along with the practical, necessary actions required to implement each of the four pillars into your organisation.

Attend this webinar to:

• Discover the rationale behind the changes moving from a net zero to a carbon reduction approach
• Hear more about the four key pillars and how to implement them including the annual Pledge Tracking Survey
• Understand the key Climate Actions organisations can take to effectively reduce their carbon emissions

Featuring experts from the MRS Sustainability Council:  

Caroline Wren, MD at MTM and councillor for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames will detail why we need to take action now.

Jack Young, ESG Strategy Lead at Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice, with his role focussing on both sustainability communications & corporate ESG strategy, reporting and regulation is best placed to advise us all on best practice.

Richard Barton, MD at RED C Research and Marketing Ltd will give a practical guide on how they have implanted the new pledge, why it makes sense to them and how it has had a positive impact for procurement of business.