Of 187 pledges that major companies made in 2015 to meet certain climate change-related goals by 2020, the majority have been fulfilled or appear on track to be by year end, according to a Bloomberg analysis. Bloomberg counted 138 of the 187 pledges in this category (97 achieved already and 37 on track), compared to 32 not on track and 17 whose goals were not disclosed. These pledges represented 75 companies, as many companies set multiple goals. (Bloomberg reported separately that its parent company, Bloomberg LP, is  on track to meet its own four goals, so that makes a total of 41 pledges on track to be achieved.)

Bloomberg noted that companies were able to make these targets because they set modest goals in the first place. IBM, for instance, pledged to reduce emissions by 35 percent compared to a 2005 baseline and use 20 percent renewable energy, both of which it has already achieved; Verizon pledged to reduce emissions by 50 percent compared to a 2009 baseline, which it has also already achieved. Some companies met their goals through purchase of carbon offsets, such as Disney and PwC.

Those with more ambitious plans tended not to achieve all their goals, however. L'Oreal, for example, did achieve its pledge to reduce emissions by 60 percent from the 2005 baseline, send zero waste to landfills, and ensure 100 percent of its palm oil supply is sustainably produced. It has failed, however, to meet its goals on water use reduction, finished product waste, transportation emissions, and improving the environmental and social profile on all products.

Many companies are now making further pledges to be met by 2050; Bloomberg noted that while the previous set of goals were modest, their fulfillment lays the foundation for further improvement over what is generally understood to be a multi-decade project.