Use the Bonterms Climate Addendum to add standardized climate-related obligations to an existing or new agreement. The Climate Addendum may be implemented through a Bonterms Cover Page, as a standalone agreement (signable version), or as an attachment.
Option 1: Bonterms Climate Addendum - Cover Page Version
Use this option if you wish to enter into the Climate Addendum using a separate Cover Page.
Steps:
- Review the Climate Addendum (Cover Page Version) with your lawyer or legal counsel (see example)
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Prepare your Cover Page (see example):
- Identify the parties: Customer and Supplier
- Complete the Key Terms: Main Agreement and Addendum Effective Date
- Propose any Additional Terms (additions to, or modifications of the Climate Addendum
- Send your Cover Page to your counterparty
- Sign the Cover Page and create your Climate Addendum!
Option 2: Bonterms Climate Addendum - Signable Version
Use this option if you wish to enter into the Climate Addendum by signing the Climate Addendum itself.
- Review the Climate Addendum (Signable Version) with your lawyer or legal counsel (see example)
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Complete the document fields:
- Parties: Customer and Supplier names and details
- Key Terms: Main Agreement reference and Addendum Effective Date
- Propose any Additional Terms (additions to, or modifications of the Climate Addendum)
- Send the Climate Addendum (Signable Version) to your counterparty.
- Sign the Climate Addendum!
Option 3: Bonterms Climate Addendum - Attachment Version
Use this version if you wish to attach the Climate Addendum to an existing agreement or include it when signing a new agreement.
- Review the Climate Addendum (Attachment Version) with your lawyer or legal counsel (see example)
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Prepare implementing language in either in the Main Agreement (if new) or as an amendment (for existing agreements) that specifies:
- Parties - Customer and Supplier
- Addendum Effective Date
- Main Agreement reference - the agreement into which the Climate Addendum is incorporated
- Additional Terms (additions to, or modifications of the Climate Addendum)
- Sign the agreement or amendment to effectuate the Climate Addendum!
For more information, see About the Climate Addendum
FAQs for the Climate Addendum:
What is the Climate Addendum for?
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The Bonterms Climate Addendum is a Standard Agreement designed to help companies implement climate commitments in their business relationships. It establishes binding obligations for suppliers to set, and work toward, science-based emissions reduction targets under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
As a Standard Agreement, the parties can modify any term of the Climate Addendum through Additional Terms.
Is the Climate Addendum free to use?
- Yes, like all Bonterms Standard Agreements, the Climate Addendum is completely free to use and made available under CC BY 4.0.
Why are there three versions of the Climate Addendum?
- There are three versions to give you maximum flexibility in implementing the Climate Addendum. You can enter the Climate Addendum by attaching it to an existing agreement (Attachment Version), as a signable document (Signable Version) or through a Cover Page (Cover Page Version).
Are there substantive differences between the three versions of the Climate Addendum?
- No. All versions of the Climate Addendum share the same core sections—Sustainability Obligations, Compliance, Disclosure, and Term (Sections 2-5)—and differ only in how they are implemented. Choose the version that best fits your contracting process.
Why does the Climate Addendum reference a “Main Agreement”?
- The Climate Addendum is designed to be added to an existing SaaS, professional services or other commercial agreement between a customer and supplier (the “Main Agreement”) rather than being an independent agreement. We took this approach as climate commitments are usually part of a larger commercial relationship and not something parties enter into independently.
Can the Climate Addendum be used independently without any other Bonterms Standard Agreement?
- Yes. The Climate Addendum can be used with any kind of “Main Agreement,” whether a Bonterms Standard Agreement or any other agreement the supplier and customer have entered into.
Who do I contact with further questions about the Climate Addendum?
- Reach us at support@bonterms.com
What is your relationship with Docusign?
- Docusign helped inspire and collaborate with our Standard Agreements Committee in creating of the Climate Addendum and will be distributing the Climate Addendum. Learn more here.
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