Companies as beacons of hope in the climate crisis

The fight against climate change is lagging behind all over the world. Policymakers are reluctant to act and meeting the Paris climate targets is not yet tangible. Hope for the preservation of a livable planet is promised by private individuals and companies, which can be one of the most important levers in the fight against the climate crisis.

After all, containing the global climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time and one of the most comprehensive tasks facing politicians. However, there is little time left to implement suitable measures, and the time that remains is pressing. If we do not manage to reduce current CO₂ emissions worldwide, we are heading towards 2.9 degrees Celsius. A danger for all life on this earth and a true catastrophe for future generations.  

Previous climate protection targets are inadequate

With the Paris Climate Agreement, almost all countries have bindingly agreed to limit global warming to 2 or, if possible, 1.5 degrees. However, even if the agreement's targets are met and global emissions are halved by 2030, there is still a gap. According to a study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the pledges made so far only cover half of the emissions reductions that would be necessary to achieve the 1.5 degree target.

High hopes were pinned on COP26 in Glasgow in November this year (2021), which offered an opportunity to tighten up the Paris climate targets. One success was that, for the first time in the history of the climate conference, coal was named as one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis. In addition, a reduction in methane emissions, a halt to deforestation in more than 100 countries and concrete phase-out dates for oil and gas production and petrol and diesel cars were agreed.

However, the results are sometimes viewed soberly: Environmental activists as well as industry are criticizing the outcome. According to the renowned Swedish climate researcher Johan Rockström, there is only a 50 percent chance that global warming can be kept below two degrees compared to pre-industrial times if all announcements are fully implemented. The only hope is the plan of the states to tighten up their inadequate national climate protection targets.
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The opportunity away from politics

‍‍Time to rethink the problem of the climate crisis and consider politics as only part of the solution. After all, there are other players whose actions can play a major role, if not the biggest role, in mitigating the consequences. 

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An opportunity to counteract this lies with non-state actors such as private individuals and companies. The economy in particular is a huge sector that can help reduce CO₂ emissions to great effect. The solution lies in reducing emissions and voluntarily offsetting the residual emissions that are still being emitted despite the existing reduction measures of the Paris Climate Agreement and the plans of COP26. The protection of biodiversity through the restoration of forests, moors or the protection of forests also makes an important contribution to climate protection.

Holistic sustainability for companies

With Planted, we enable companies to take action holistically and implement their sustainability strategy. Using our all-in-one sustainability platform, companies can calculate their ‍Benefits of emissions in a TÜV-certified manner, identify CO₂ hotspots, and reduce internal emissions at company level and together with employees via individualized measures. Unavoidable emissions can be offset via global climate protection projects of the highest standards. Such projects include the construction of a wind farm, the renaturation of peatlands, or the use of hydropower to generate electricity. The selected projects are subject to the strictest standards, which are also recommended by the German government, and are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. This ensures that the projects have a positive impact on the lives of local people as well as their environment. 

Protection of German forests

In addition to supporting global climate protection projects, climate-stable trees can be planted here in Germany, hyperlocally near any major city. These form the forest of the future and can grow adapted to climate change. The protection and stability of the forests is ensured by our own forester Jan, who selects tree species and areas individually. 

Planting mixed forests creates a habitat for many different species, stores and filters drinking water, protects against noise, filters the air and provides recreational space for us humans. Our forest is one of the largest natural carbon reservoirs that needs to be preserved. Because the German forest is in a very bad way. Droughts, storms, heatwaves and the bark beetle as a result of climate change have taken their toll on the forests. By planting trees in the form of a mixed forest, you as a company are contributing to the natural preservation of our local forests and can visit the donated or self-planted trees at any time. The bond between employees and the company is strengthened and the teams can continue to grow together outside of everyday working life as part of an additional planting event.

Business is the key

As a company, you have a lot of opportunities to make your business activities sustainable. By implementing the climate targets, you are making a major contribution, because although the measures taken by politicians will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 500 billion tons of CO₂, they will not prevent further increases. There is the so-called Paris Gap: another 500 billion tons of CO₂ must be saved to meet the 2-degree target. Companies can play a key role in ensuring that the emissions budget of 600 billion tons of CO₂ calculated by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) is not exceeded. Their opportunity to contribute to meeting the climate targets and make a major impact is therefore huge.

Sources: 

• https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/un-klimakonferenz-glasgow-blog-cop26-100.html
• https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/international-cop26-durchbruch-oder-nur-bla-bla-bla-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-211114-99-993891
• Herlyn, Estelle (2020): Voluntary climate neutrality and CO₂ compensation by non-state actors - An opportunity for multiple co-benefits in line with the AGenda 2030. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH.
• Rademacher, F. J.: Voluntary climate neutrality in the private sector. Key to achieving the 2° target. Bonn: Senate of the Economy.
• https://www.klimareporter.de/gesellschaft/es-reicht-nicht