Italian government signs landmark agreement with leading global disclosure system, CDP, to boost corporate action on environment

For press information:

Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea, Task Force for the Environmental Footprint: Martina Hauser, Program Manager // + 39 06 57228108 // hauser.martina@minambiente.it
CDP: Diana Guzman, Director, Southern Europe // + 39 02 3051 6041 // diana.guzman@cdp.net

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Italian Ministry for the Environment and CDP, pioneer of the only global system for corporations to disclose their environmental data to investors.  The Italian Government and CDP aim to collaborate to drive action to promote sustainable growth and protect the natural environment via the voluntary disclosure and measurement of environmental information by both public and private sector.

The Italian Government’s National Environmental Footprint Program launched in 2009, already numbers more than 100 companies to date. Under the MOU, it plans to increase the number of companies monitoring and managing their carbon emissions by sending a formal request to 100 of Italy’s largest companies and major cities  to disclose to CDP.  In doing so, it seeks to stimulate sustainable economic growth.

This is a significant breakthrough in Italy for both private and public sector climate change mitigation.  It represents the first such agreement within Europe that is a direct call for corporate action by government and endorses the globally recognized standard for disclosure on climate change mitigation established by CDP.

With more than 4,100 companies worldwide annually disclosing environmental data to 722 investors, representing more than half the world’s invested capital, CDP is in prime position to work with governments to drive environmental policy that underpins growth.

Corrado Clini, director general for sustainable development, energy and climate of the Italian Ministry for the Environment who was Minister at the signing of the agreement, says:  “The Italian Ministry for the Environment is committed to promoting emissions reduction activities on a voluntary basis by the private sector as well as public institutions in order to foster an Italian transition towards a low carbon economy. We believe that a low carbon economy can be a driver to economic growth” 

CDP’s chief executive officer Paul Simpson says: “This commitment from the Italian Ministry for the Environment demonstrates CDP’s growing global influence and the rise of environmental concerns.  The pressure is growing for companies to build long-term resilience in order to drive economic growth.  In 2012, we saw a 30% increase in the number of companies responding to us in Italy with 46 of the top 100 Italian companies disclosing to CDP and this new partnership will further boost reporting. It is a great development, which we are working to replicate with other national governments around the world.”

CDP’s Italy Director Diana Guzman says: “CDP is delighted to support the Italian Ministry for the Environment in our joint effort to drive sustainable economies and meet EU climate policy targets. By encouraging transparency, innovation and a reduction of GHG emissions, we are confident that Italian companies will also increase their competitiveness, which in turn will attract much needed investments and help create local employment.“

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

Background

Figures from CDP’s Italy 100 Climate Change report 2012, Catalyse business agility through climate change management, show that just under half of Italian top 100 companies are currently disclosing to CDP, indicating good progress as well as room for further improvement.  In Italy, CDP partners include Accenture and certification body, IMQ.

About the Italian Environmental footprint task force

For the fulfillment of the national program for the evaluation of the Environmental Footprint for systems and models of production and consumption a Task Force has been established within the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea. Its main task is to plan the realization of carbon and water footprint assessment activities, as expected from voluntary agreements with public authorities and companies or deriving from procedures of public recruitment, promoted and financed by the Ministry in Italy and abroad.

About CDP

CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 722 institutional investors with assets of US$87 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions. Please visit www.cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.

For media information: 

Martina Hauser

Program Manager

Task Force for the Environmental Footprint Evaluation

+ 39 06 57228108

Hauser.martina@minambiente.it

Penny Cross  Diana Guzman 
Director of Communications  Director, CDP Southern Europe

+ 44 (0) 20 7415 7083  + 39 02 3051 6041

+ 44 (0) 7919 074 926     + 39 34 0127 2951 

penny.cross@cdp.net  diana.guzman@cdp.net

Steven Tebbe
Managing Director, CDP Europe

+49 30 311 77 71 63

steven.tebbe@cdp.net