Whereas: Within the next 25 years, climate change could cut global GDP by up to 19 percent, posing macroeconomic risks that could meaningfully depress returns for long-term diversified investors. Investors have increasingly asked companies to identify material climate risks in order to mitigate physical and transition risks and to capitalize on products and services that offer climate-related solutions. ,
Power companies, such as NextEra, are highly exposed to climate change-driven weather catastrophes through their extensive transmission and distribution assets. According to global experts, power companies also play a foundational role in mitigating climate impacts and transitioning to an economy aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (the Paris Agreement ambition). , , ,
In 2022, NextEra acknowledged the need to mitigate exposure to climate-related risks by adopting its Zero Emissions by 2045 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target (inclusive of 5-year interim targets) – which was substantially aligned with recommended power sector GHG emissions reductions needed to achieve the Paris Agreement ambition. , ,
By setting targets, NextEra not only modeled how leading companies mitigate climate risk but responded to the growing need among major clients, such as hyperscalers, to shrink emissions across their operations and supply chains.
Yet, in 2025, NextEra withdrew all of its interim targets and its overarching 2045 target. By withdrawing these targets, it risks failing to meet investor expectations for consistent and transparent oversight of its strategies. Further, this shift invites reputational risk and raises serious concerns for us about the company’s ability to execute on other strategic priorities.
NextEra’s decision is squarely at odds with trends in corporate climate commitments. In a review of 2024 CDP disclosures, PwC writes that, in contrast to recent headlines, companies increased their climate ambition at a rate of 37 percent, far outweighing those in retreat. The Harvard Business Review draws an identical conclusion, noting that “companies with deep operational integration, value-creation alignment, and stable leadership have proven the most resilient [in keeping their commitments] despite shifting political environments.”
As the world’s leading solar and wind developer with net generating capacity of 33 GW and 160+ wind projects in North America, we believe NextEra has a critical role to play in setting scientifically credible GHG emissions reduction targets – both to restore investor confidence and to build upon its leadership position in the renewables and storage industries.