UN Climate Change Continues to Mobilize the Industrial Sector

UN #climatechange News, 29 July 2020 - Amid the unprecedented and challenging times of Covid-19, companies and organizations across sectors and countries have continued to commit to take ambitious climate action through the Climate Neutral Now initiative of UN #climatechange. In July 2020, the initiative is moving towards a significant milestone of 400 signatories, with new players notably from the industrial sector joining.

Climate Neutral Now, launched by UN #climatechange in 2015, aims to encourage and support all actors in society to act to accelerate the transition to a climate neutral world by 2050, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Organizations, governments and citizens are invited to implement concrete actions to tackle their climate footprint through a three-step process: calculating their footprint, reducing it as much as possible, and compensating the emissions that currently cannot be avoided by contributing to #green projects in developing countries vetted by the United Nations.

The initiative is currently preparing to launch an enhanced approach to promoting climate action through these three steps, aiming to become more robust and ambitious as it continues to support action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. The improvements, developed based on signatories’ inputs, are meant to comply with the increased need for transparency and higher ambition, as well as to be fitted to the evolving landscape of climate action initiatives.

Industries are key pillars of economic and social development, and represent significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Practices implemented by Climate Neutral Now signatories show how industrial sectors can greatly contribute to climate action and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Examples of Recent Climate Action Activities and Pledges

Here are a few examples of how the sector is taking climate action.  For instance, Steel Wood Industries (SWI), a Dubai–based manufacturer of sustainable wood products, is committed to promoting renewable energy, clean fuels, and efficient energy usage, as well as tackling #climatechange by encouraging organic agriculture and preserving biodiversity (an equivalent of 1,350,000 acres of US Forests per year according to their estimates). The SWI production site has the capacity to recycle 30,000 tons of wood waste per year, which can be increased, supporting the circular economy and reducing the need for fresh cut wood.

Another illustration of the sector’s contribution to climate action lies with Obrascón Huarte Lain(OHL), a global infrastructure group based in Madrid, Spain, which has implemented activities to reduce fuel consumption from goods and employee transport; to improve energy efficiency in buildings; to reduce energy consumption in lighting, facilities and machinery; to increase solar energy consumption; and to reduce business travel. OHL is also committed to the development of energy efficiency services and the application of circular economy principles in its projects.

Engaging with worldwide participants from diverse sectors and industries encompassing energy, fashion, finance, sports, technology, education, architecture, law and events among others, Climate Neutral Now invites all organizations to join, collaborate and receive the guidance or support they need, and further get recognition for acting against #climatechange.

Design brand Elliot Footwear, founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, goes beyond achieving a climate neutral status by supporting projects that reduce, avoid or capture carbon emissions beyond their own carbon footprint. The company is committed to using 100% recyclable vegan leather, and 70% recyclable canvas and rubber soles for its products, thus participating in the circular economy.

Finally, as a last example, Fjordkraft, a Norwegian power company based in Bergen, has been implementing initiatives such as using technology to streamline communication between office locations and reduce travel, providing charging stations for electric cars,  and encourages carpooling and use of public transport by reducing the number of parking spaces. Fjordkraft also encourages their providers to achieve climate neutrality.

All these companies provide illustrations of the wide range of organizations and sectors taking part in Climate Neutral Now and of the wide scope of actions that can be undertaken to contribute towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the past four months only, 32 new signatories have joined the Climate Neutral Now initiative:

1. BundeBygg, a construction company from Norway;
2. Nornnorn from Thailand;
3. Akiba (Expense Reduction Analysts Rouen);
4. Astrid S by Ecologic, clothing collection in Norway;
5. Certax Accounting Durham LLP;
6. Alter Eco Foods, a sustainability-directed food company in the US;
7. Changing Habits Solutions;
8. Aurora;
9. Vi Er Live;
10. Angels in the Field;
11. Certax Accounting Durham LLP;
12. Circle Environmental Solutions;
13. Econômicos Soluções, an environmental service company from Brazil;
14. Imporient UK Ltd / Birchall Tea;
15. Kenya Little League;
16. Ysgol Bro Lleu;
17. DRF Real State;
18. Eswatini Sunshine Group;
19. One Communications Ltd.;
20. Synergy Blockchain Technology (ECO2 consensus);
21. GCF Genesis Capital Group Corporation;
22. Three Squares Inc.;
23. Alpine Hikers;
24. All Saints VA Primary School;
25. Fundamental Inc.;
26. The Born Free Foundation;
27. Circle Environmental Solutions;
28. Earth5R;
29. Ørsted A/S (formerly DONG Energy A/S);
30. TuktukRental.com, a rental provider in Sri Lanka;
31. The Rainforest Company;
32. Salai Holdings Pvt. Ltd (Smart Society);

To see the comprehensive list of Climate Neutral Now signatories, visit the Climate Neutral Now website or the Global Climate Action Portal (NAZCA).

To make the Climate Neutral Now pledge and join this climate action network, contact UN #climatechange at ClimateNeutralNow@unfccc.int.