How Future Businesses can reduce Climate change for better Future?

The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed daunting facts. It states the positive side, that it is still possible to maintain a safe increase in global temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius. If global temperature rises above that, catastrophic and irreversible climatic effects could be experienced. “On the downside, it will take unparalleled climate precautions and actions which can set the planet on track to reduce emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and will be reduced to 0 by 2050” (Mainwaring, 2020). Climate change will impacts our planet as a whole, but it will cause significant damage to businesses and economies. Companies of all sizes and businesses of all fields needs to take imperative actions before government imposes strict policies against climate change, which might not be profitable from business standpoint.

According to Simon Mainwaring in his blog, “Why and how Business must tackle Climate Change Now” on Forbes, over 150 big companies have joined Renewable energy usage program. Those companies get low cost solar and renewable energy sources and surveys reveal that consumers support companies that are engaged fight against climate change. Actions against Climate change is a great storytelling potential to use as a marketing initiative to make their brand look promising for the future world and relevant to consumers, as they share values for the planet we live in.

There are many ways through which businesses can address Climate change issue and still maintain their profit levels and save planet for future generations. They are:

1. Measure total carbon footprint of a business

Measure the greenhouse gas emission of a business. Once it is measured, set targets to reduce carbon footprint levels periodically and effectively. Use transparent third party to measure for reliable measurements to maintain credibility.

2. Develop innovated climate action plan

Once carbon emission is measured, make plans to reduce particular activities that emits major carbon and layout a plan to reduce them from start till the end of the business chain.

* Supply chain: It is responsible for the major carbon emission. It is difficult to maintain it because then, a company has to change its material sourcing and suppliers. But nothing is impossible. For example, toy company LEGO has shifted to plant based materials rather than using plastic to make toys.

*Energy: Heating, Cooling and Electricity are the known source of carbon emission. Improving energy efficiency is a great means to reduce carbon emission.

* Transportation: Companies can reduce emission by delivery vehicles by operating though local suppliers and warehouses.

3. Set reduced emission targets for set period of time

4. Lookout for daily progress

5. Support state and federal climate policies

Mainwaring, S. (2018, October 25). Why and How Business Must Tackle Climate Change Now. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmainwaring/2018/10/25/why-and-how-business-must-tackle-climate-change-now/#6a7800fc4712