In December 2015, 196 countries took an unprecedented step. Together, they agreed to hold the increase in global average temperatures to well below 2°C and established a stretch target of halting rises at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. They committed to peak and then rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of achieving net zero global emissions in the second half of this century. They agreed to build this emissions trajectory through national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) which are improved every five years. The Paris Agreement was a defining moment after decades of international negotiations.

In June 2016, President Trump announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. Whilst a regrettable decision, the Agreement, and the full-scale economic transformation it’s delivery promises, remains intact. National climate plans are rapidly being translated into domestic regulation across the globe, reshaping national economies, development paths and value chains for companies in the process. As they are implemented, these policies provide business with the direction and certainty it needs to make long-term investments in climate action with confidence.

Every company, irrespective of sector or country, is now being impacted by climate policy across operations, regulatory assessments and investment decisions. Businesses that prepare for the policies emerging from national climate plans position themselves for success. This tracker supports that preparation.

Available together for the first time in one place, it provides business with up-to-date information on climate laws and regulation, enabling users to build a comprehensive picture of the policies that impact their operations and value chains based on the sector and countries they operate in.

A live product, this tracker will regularly be updated with new policies. Over time, more countries, sub-national states and regions, cities and types of policy will be added.

Associated with each policy are recommended commitments from the We Mean Business coalition’s Take Action campaign, supporting business to respond to the regulatory frameworks that the tracker details.

The coalition’s commitments are already helping more than 600 global companies seize one of this century’s most significant business opportunities. From setting emissions reduction targets in line with climate science to committing to source 100% renewable power they set the gold standard for corporate action on climate change.