The increasing rate and number of climate related disasters affecting society is causing alarms to be raised globally, making the corporate sector’s contribution to climate mitigation a significant policy issue. Shareholders are increasingly concerned about material climate risk to their companies and seek clear and consistent company disclosures including credible climate transition plans. BlackRock’s CEO notes that investment flows into sustainable and climate aligned assets will drive long term outperformance1 and that companies should disclose plans for how their business model will be compatible with a net zero economy. In response to material climate risk, the Climate Action 100 initiative, a coalition of 600+ investors with over $60 trillion in assets, issued a Net Zero Benchmark outlining metrics that create climate accountability for companies and transparency for shareholders. Indicators 1 through 5 of the Benchmark seek reporting on companies’ net zero emissions ambitions; short, medium and long term greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions goals; and strategic actions planned to achieve decarbonization targets.2 American Water Works is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded water and wastewater treatment utility company in the United States with approximately 90 percent of its electricity consumption and over 80 percent of GHG emissions related to water pumping.3 Our company discloses GHG emissions, is increasing solar capacity, and is on track to meet a short term 2025 GHG reduction for scope 1 and 2 emissions. While these are credible first steps, it has not set medium and long-term targets to reduce scope 1 or 2 GHG emissions nor set any goals for scope 3 emissions. The company does not have a Net Zero commitment, has not set targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative, nor disclosed a plan for how to achieve Paris-aligned GHG emissions reductions. By setting and disclosing medium and long-term GHG emissions reduction targets, including net zero ambitions, and developing and disclosing a clear climate transition plan, our company can assure investors that management is reducing its full climate impact, building on climate-related opportunities, and addressing growing climate risk, including customers’ access to water due to extreme weather events.