In an environment where corporations are demanding that their suppliers and business partners assume greener corporate processes, Standard & Poor’s launched the S&P US Carbon Efficient Index as a means of measuring the performance of large US companies with relatively lower carbon emissions.
According to Standard & Poor’s, the companies listed on the new US Carbon Efficient Index had a 48% lower carbon footprint when compared with the average company on the S&P 500. There are currently 362 companies listed, with plans to examine all 4,500 companies recognized on S&P’s indices.
To calculate the carbon footprint, S&P is working with the environmental research organization Trucost PLC. Trucost arrives at a figure by dividing greenhouse gas emissions by annual revenues.
With the potential for new and more conservative emissions regulations just around the corner, and an increase in consumer demand for socially responsible products and services, it appears that tracking corporate greenhouse gas emissions is evolving from an optional business initiative to a mandatory one.
Click here to read a recent press release addressing how Intelex is enabling organizations to improve their sustainability efforts through greenhouse gas emissions tracking and reporting.
