Climate Action will define the future of our world. It is the single most important issue of our times. The past 10 years on this earth have been the hottest ever recorded, producing devastating wildfires, significant droughts, damaging hurricanes and a growing pattern of extreme weather events*.
SDG 13 focuses on enforcing urgent action to combat climate change. If no major initiative is implemented soon then the global climate crisis will continue to worsen, threatening to critically and irreversibly impact all ecosystems and life on earth.
The reduction of greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050 is now the only way we can successfully stabilise earth’s temperature in order to significantly reduce risks to our civilisation. This figure is quite daunting considering the fact that US greenhouse gas emissions alone have risen approximately 3.7% each year since 1990**. If swift climate action is not put in place as a global collective and climate change continues to be left to run its current course, then global average temperatures will increase beyond 3°C and devastate every living ecosystem on earth*.
It’s quite simple, the sooner we act, the greater our chances of preserving our wondrous planet for future generations to thrive in.
SDG 13 stipulates that in order to combat climate change effectively it is imperative that the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning must be achieved***. There has been significant progression in recent years in the development of renewable energy resources, however there is still so much more to be done. Notably, there needs to be greater changes in the agricultural, transport, energy and forestry industries. It remains vital that the threat of climate change is known, and that people are properly educated about it.
How businesses can assist with SDG 13:
Small habit changes such as lowering air conditioning usage and turning off the lights when nobody is in the office are simple ways that businesses can lessen their annual energy consumption. It is well known that transport is one of the most significant contributors to climate change and by encouraging employees to walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool you can further reduce the CO2 footprint of your enterprise.
Furthermore, by actively searching for suppliers who value, and practice sustainability businesses can further improve the widespread adoption of long-term sustainable business.
*https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/13_Why-It-Matters-2020.pdf
***https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/envision2030-goal13.html
****https://earth.stanford.edu/news/roadmap-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-50-percent-2030#gs.4lnboo
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