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Dreams of UK green finance hub dashed as companies fail to set credible net-zero targets

Just one in 40 large UK companies is adopting 'gold standard' net-zero targets

In 2021, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was then chancellor, announced companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, as well as regulated asset managers and owners would be required to set out net-zero aligned plans by 2023
In 2021, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was then chancellor, announced companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, as well as regulated asset managers and owners would be required to set out net-zero aligned plans by 2023 Photo: Getty Images

Aspirations to transform the UK into the world's green finance hub are being jeopardised as only a sliver of the UK's biggest businesses have adopted credible net-zero plans.

Ahead of transition plans being mandatory for all UK-listed companies, just 739 firms have signed up to the 'gold standard' Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research showed.

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