OER needs air cover, not just an obligation - Ecosystem Marketplace
Summary written by AI from ecosystemmarketplace.com, not reviewed by a person. Original linked.
OER needs air cover, not just an obligation - Ecosystem Marketplace
The article highlights a critical disconnect in corporate climate action: despite the introduction of the SBTi’s Ongoing Emissions Responsibility (OER) program, most companies are failing to implement it. Although corporate leaders claim high familiarity with the framework, actual preparation and participation remain minimal. This gap between awareness and action suggests that without mandatory deadlines or immediate compliance pressures, voluntary initiatives regarding residual emissions are easily deprioritized in favor of more urgent, regulated targets. This inaction stems from a lack of tangible commercial incentives. Companies view OER as an additional cost rather than a strategic asset, seeking stronger business cases, clearer guidance, and evidence of peer engagement before allocating resources. Because the program currently offers only voluntary recognition without hard deadlines or financial mandates, corporations perceive the risks of early adoption as outweighing the benefits. Consequently, firms are waiting for external validation and regulatory clarity to justify the investment, leaving the initiative stalled at the conceptual stage. The piece is vital to understanding greenwashing because it exposes how weak voluntary standards can enable corporations to delay meaningful action while appearing committed to net-zero goals. It argues that without coordinated support from NGOs and media to reward genuine leadership, companies will exploit the ambiguity of voluntary programs to avoid purchasing high-integrity carbon credits. True integrity requires that early adopters are celebrated rather than criticized, ensuring that "ongoing responsibility" becomes a substantive practice rather than a tool for cosmetic sustainability.
Source: ecosystemmarketplace.comPublished on 2026-10-23
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