Global leaders convened in Brazil this week for the 30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP30), with discussions focusing on global unity and decisive climate action. The event, held near the Amazon rainforest, brought together representatives from governments, industry, and civil society to address pressing environmental challenges.
A major theme at COP30 was the role of businesses in advancing climate goals. The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has become a widely adopted framework for corporate climate action, with nearly 12,000 companies worldwide setting science-based targets to reduce emissions. According to a recent SBTi report, most companies that set these targets see positive business impacts as a result.
Prosus and its parent company Naspers are among those with SBTi-verified climate targets. “This provides us, and our portfolio companies, with a clear direction to drive sustainable growth and contribute to a net-zero future,” stated the company. With food delivery platforms making up a significant part of Prosus’s investments, reducing emissions from deliveries is seen as crucial for meeting their net zero objectives.
In response to this challenge, Prosus partnered with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to launch the Deliver-E Coalition. This industry-led alliance brings together major global delivery platforms—including several within the Prosus portfolio—to speed up the shift toward zero-emission deliveries.
One example highlighted at COP30 was Takealot’s efforts in South Africa, where it operates the country’s largest fleet of electric commercial trucks. In Brazil, iFood—Prosus’s local subsidiary—announced what it describes as Latin America’s largest decarbonisation initiative for food delivery. The program will introduce 45,000 electric bicycles for iFood’s delivery drivers, which will increase Brazil’s stock of electric bicycles by about 10 percent.
“This milestone not only solidifies iFood’s leadership in sustainable logistics but also propels the company further on its growth journey, all while decoupling from emissions,” according to Prosus.
Despite such progress, challenges remain for emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These regions often lack access to knowledge, affordable capital, and technology needed for adaptation and resilience compared to industrialized countries.
“We have called for advancing climate justice, ensuring a fair and just transition,” said Prosus. “We were reminded of this need again this week by urgent calls from Indigenous peoples for concrete action and emissions reduction at the Brazilian climate conference.”
The company emphasized that while innovation is ongoing in the private sector, broader progress depends on unified global policies and substantial financial commitments to prioritize mitigation and adaptation efforts.
“Together, through innovation, collaboration, and accountability, we can turn ambition into action—for people, for business, and for the planet,” Prosus concluded.
