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.

In addition to environmental and social harms, climate change is creating systemic risks to the economy. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission last year underscored that climate change could impair the productive capacity of the U.S. economy.

Shareholders are increasingly concerned about material climate risk to their companies and their portfolios and seek clear and consistent disclosures from the companies in which they invest, including credible climate transition plans. BlackRock’s CEO writes that, “there is no company whose business model won’t be profoundly affected by the transition to a net zero economy” and that investors “are asking companies to disclose a plan for how their business model will be compatible with a net zero economy.”

In response to material climate risk, the Climate Action 100+ initiative (CA100+), a coalition of 615 investors with $60 trillion in assets, issued a Net Zero Benchmark (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 covering enterprise-wide emissions; and strategic action plans to achieve decarbonization targets.

Amedisys, Inc. is a healthcare services company. While our company discusses certain carbon reduction efforts, such as using newer vehicles and reducing fuel use through sophisticated scheduling, these limited efforts are insufficient to align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree Celsius goal. Furthermore, our company has not publicly disclosed emissions data nor set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By setting GHG reduction targets, reporting a clear climate transition plan, and demonstrating progress toward achieving net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner, Amedisys Inc. can provide investors with assurance that management is appropriately reducing its climate contribution and addressing the growing risks associated with climate change.