Sustainability has been on the minds and hearts of many as the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent. As we collectively try to change the negative trajectory of our climate, what lies in store for communities around the world remains to be seen. The call for “all hands on deck” to tackle climate change has led companies to join the green initiative. According to the Harvard Business Review, most of the world’s larger companies now issue sustainability reports and set published goals. Over 2,000 companies worldwide have set science-based carbon targets, a large percentage of those pledging to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Increasing and implementing sustainability initiatives provide many benefits to businesses. According to surveys, 76% of Americans expect companies to take action on climate change. Indeed, the days of ignoring the need for greener initiatives may be over as more businesses realize that public opinion regarding sustainability and consumerism has shifted.
Limiting the negative environmental impact
In recent years, many companies which have been operating for decades have had to reevaluate their environmental impact and shift gears to be more sustainable. Lowering greenhouse gas emissions has been a focus of many manufacturers, and many have devised new processes in hopes of reaching green initiative goals.
“Each day, our team members make new steel products almost entirely composed of recycled material. That’s one way in which we reduce our environmental footprint,” explains Adam Parr, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Gerdau, a leading global steel producer. Steel is one of the most recycled materials on the planet, meaning steel manufacturers are not only leading the way in green manufacturing initiatives, but have been for some time. Structural steel used in building and manufacturing is 93% recycled and 100% recyclable, making it a prime choice for sustainability.
One company alone cannot stop climate change, however. Only with companies working together toward the common goal of increased sustainability in manufacturing and production can real change come to fruition.
“We have assumed public goals to further reduce emissions,” Parr says, “with an ambition to make our operations carbon-neutral by 2050. We seek to balance our economic, environmental, and social commitments.” Those global commitments are on par with other companies that have made similar pledges.
In 2021, over 200 companies publicly pledged to work towards net-zero emissions through an Amazon-backed Climate Pledge. As pressure has mounted on private entities to change their ways and adopt green initiatives, many have made their work towards sustainability part of restructured marketing plans or altogether new mission statements. In August of 2021, the UN issued a strongly-worded statement showing that human influence has contributed significantly to climate change and that significant steps were required to reverse this adverse course.
Green initiatives for businesses
While some businesses may feel like the issue of climate change is far too big to tackle, they must understand how they can have a far larger impact and make lasting changes in their communities by getting their surrounding community to rally behind green initiatives. With more industrial manufacturers “going green,” these businesses can directly impact their communities by improving air and water quality. And by recycling products like steel, the burden on the environment wrought by new steel production can be lessened.
“Having a green focus means using fewer natural resources and materials,” explains Parr. “We lessen our environmental impact through waste reduction, sustainable purchasing, pollution prevention, and energy efficiency.”
The public is clamoring for a global effort toward improving the outlook on climate change, demanding the businesses that supply everything from the food we eat to the cars we drive begin taking the issue of climate change seriously. Companies that intend to continue operating and finding favor with consumers will need to consider the risks of ignoring the need for green initiatives.
According to studies, 92% of consumers say they are more likely to trust brands that are environmentally conscious. The act of developing and applying corporate climate responsibility practices can increase revenue by upwards of 20%. A focus on strong and swift action on climate change is not only good for the planet and the people who reside here, but for the bottom line as well.
“While conservation and clean energy ideals are not new, the outcry for immediate action is,” says Parr.
When companies make strong efforts to lessen their carbon footprints and process their goods in an environmentally-conscious way, the effects will be felt worldwide. We still have a ways to go as a global community to slow the devastating effects of climate change.
Businesses around the world need to realize that not only can this efficiency save money, but it will also boost the morale of the company’s employees as well as how the general public perceives the company as consumers. Businesses must take the current climate crisis seriously and consider all of the potential benefits of “going green.”
