Emirates

Emirates has set a target to achieve net-zero scope 1 emissions by 2050, but it relies on offsets to achieve 8% of this. So far, the company has only achieved approximately 36% of the total emissions reduction required to stay on track to meet this target. Setting intermediate targets will make it easier for the company to monitor and track its progress towards its net-zero target. It can also potentially reduce the company’s reliance on market-based measures over direct emissions reduction. Furthermore, regularly spaced intermediate targets will incentivise the company to take near-term action, contributing towards achieving its longer-term goals.

Emirates has a fuel efficiency programme that investigates ways to reduce fuel burn and emissions. It also reviews sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) opportunities through involvement in initiatives to promote the development and deployment of SAF. However, the company does not disclose how much of its research and development (R&D) investment is directed towards low-carbon vehicles and energies. The company should ensure that a significant proportion of its R&D investment is in low-carbon vehicles and fuel development.

Emirates does not disclose where responsibility for climate change action sits within the company. There is also no evidence that there are individuals with expertise in climate change or low-carbon transition in the management team. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the company has a low-carbon transition plan, or that it uses climate scenario analysis in its business planning. Emirates does not incentivise low-carbon performance through executive compensation. Without oversight of climate-related issues and a transition plan , it is unlikely that Emirates will achieve its target of net-zero scope 1 emissions by 2050.

Emirates has set a target to achieve net-zero scope 1 emissions by 2050. Emirates has also set a target to reduce its absolute scope 3 emissions by 30% in its subcontracted transport (air, rail, road, sea) operations by 2030 compared to 2019.

Although Emirates is reducing its emissions and claims it is consuming resources responsibly, it does not have a low-carbon transition plan. Moreover, its only active target is an industry-wide ambition to achieve net-zero scope 1 emissions by 2050.

Emirates engages in SAF initiatives , while acknowledging the limited availability of SAF. Moreover, the company does not disclose its R&D investment in low-carbon vehicles and fuels, nor in digital solutions to reduce emissions through increased efficiency.

Emirates’ scope 1 emissions intensity decreased by only about 0.3% annually between 2016 and 2021. The company also exceeded its total below-2°C carbon budget for 2016-2021 by nearly 20%. The company needs to substantially increase its ambition in order to align with a 1.5°C pathway

Emirates has adopted the industry-wide target to achieve net-zero scope 1 emissions by 2050. However, the company itself lacks any interim targets to support its long-term target. Emirates’ Environmental Policy aims to reduce the company’s emissions. Nevertheless, the company lacks a transition plan outlining how it aims to do so.

No evidence was found of the company’s commitment to social dialogue or of the categories of stakeholders the company engages with on a just transition. Furthermore, no evidence was found to demonstrate the company’s ongoing social dialogue and meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders.

No evidence was found of the company undertaking low-carbon transition planning to mitigate the social impacts of the transition on workers, affected stakeholders and its business relationships. Additionally, no evidence was found to demonstrate the company’s engagement in social dialogue or engagement with stakeholders in its just transition planning.

No public commitment by the company was found stating its intention to create and support access to green and decent jobs as part of the low-carbon transition. Moreover, no evidence was found of the company’s action to promote these jobs in a way that ensures gender balance and inclusion of vulnerable groups. Additionally, no relevant disclosure was found of the company’s assessment of employment dislocation risks.

No public commitment by the company was found stating its intention to reskill and upskill workers displaced by the transition to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, no evidence was found that the company reskills and upskills workers in a way that ensures gender balance and inclusion of vulnerable groups.

No relevant disclosure was found to show if the company identifies impacts of the low-carbon transition on social protection for workers and affected stakeholders, nor how it contributes to social protection. Additionally, no evidence was found that the company expects its business relationships to contribute to the social protection of their workers and affected stakeholders.

No relevant disclosure was found to show how the company identifies any misalignment of its lobbying activities with policies and regulations that support the just transition, nor of the measures it takes to address misalignment. Furthermore, no evidence was found that the company lobbies for policies and regulations for green and decent job creation; retention, education and reskilling; and social protection for workers.

No evidence was found of the company having a public commitment to respect human rights or to respect all of the ILO fundamental rights at work. Furthermore, the company can strengthen its disclosure on its human rights due diligence process and engagement with affected stakeholders.

There is no publicly available policy document indicating the company’s commitment to respecting health and safety of workers. Additionally, no evidence was found of the company committing to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The company can also increase disclosure on its living wage and working hours practices and its collective bargaining and workforce diversity fundamentals.

The company has a policy prohibiting bribery and corruption, and it includes corresponding clauses in its contracts with business relationships. The company also discloses its global tax strategy and its lobbying and political engagement policy. However, it can increase disclosure on these subjects, as well as on its commitment towards personal data protection for employees and customers.