SDG 13: Climate Action

Goal: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Global Context

Global temperatures have already risen approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report confirms that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 and decline 43% by 2030. Climate-related disasters have increased fivefold over the past 50 years. The economic costs of climate change could reach US$23 trillion annually by 2050 under current trajectories.

Key Targets

Key targets include strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards (13.1), integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning (13.2), improving education and awareness on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction (13.3), and implementing the commitment by developed countries to mobilise US$100 billion annually for climate finance (13.a).

Business Contribution

Businesses contribute through setting science-based emissions reduction targets (SBTi), transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, developing low-carbon products and services, climate risk assessment and adaptation planning, investing in carbon removal technologies, and engaging in climate policy advocacy. Climate action is the most prominent ESG topic, with extensive regulatory requirements and investor expectations.

Measurement & Reporting

GRI 305 (Emissions), GHG Protocol (Scope 1, 2, 3), TCFD/ISSB climate disclosures, SBTi targets, CDP Climate Change questionnaire, SASB climate-related metrics across all sectors.

Primary Sources

IPCC, UNFCCC, Climate Action Tracker

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Related Topics

• GRI Standards
• UN Global Compact
• Environmental SDGs
• Social SDGs
• Governance SDGs