COP 27, The Leadership Challenge

Focussed FrameworksAccredited Carbon Literacy Training

5 Nov

Do you want to combat climate change? Will COP 27 Deliver A Workable Framework?

Time For World Leaders To Sheikh Things Up.

Following on from a year of climate-related disasters and record-breaking temperatures, this coming Monday sees the beginning of COP27 in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Some see the gathering of many of the worlds leaders, along with academics, environmental charities, climate activists, community groups, think tanks, businesses of all sizes, and faith groups, as a race against time rather than an opportunity to discuss and plan properly, on the basis the time for the latter may have passed us by.

On a global scale, we are hurtling towards the 1.5 degrees global temperature rise that scientists say we cannot exceed without massive consequences to the environment and in particular to the poorest nations on the planet. In some places we have already exceeded the 1.5 degree landmark. In addition the ice flows in the Artic Ocean are melting at six times the rate of temperature increase in many parts of the earth. That will exacerbate the problem and speed up temperature increase.

But how can we impact the environment here at home?

How can small businesses make a combined big difference?

On one hand there is help and guidance from the government in the form of the Environment Act 2021 and The Clean Air Act, which will become more and more meaningful as enforcement increases. We also have the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which offers a global framework to combat the effects of climate change.

Moving forward, in order to protect the environment, we need to continue to clean the air, restore natural habitats, increase biodiversity, reduce waste, and make better use of all our resources.

On the other hand, education and training about climate change is vital. All companies, no matter their size, must identify and accept opportunities to both protect the planet and to become more environmentally resilient in how they operate. The culture of the organisation should include comment about how the company will tackle climate change. To have the maximum impact, a Board-level Climate Champion should be appointed, and a climate strategy implemented.

We have helped numerous clients to take these steps. All of them have found that this approach has the added benefit of enhancing the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) profile of the company, which in turn improved revenue and profit, and - for those who sought inward investment, they found the path was significantly easier to navigate. In the CIC and charity space, adopting this approach encouraged increased sponsorship, a vital element in this expanding and competing sphere.