If you’re feeling the effects of unpredictable weather conditions, flooding, changing demands in goods, supply chain disruptions and price hikes, then you’re experiencing the effects of climate change on your business.
Climate change doesn’t just have a huge impact on our daily lives, it also affects commerce. Climate-related catastrophes alone are affecting populations all over the world and organizations are feeling its impact. The risks range from labor challenges andsupply chain disruptions to surge in insurance costs and scarcity of resources.
These threats will impact business operations in more ways than one. Businesses have to take action. If not, then there’s an increased risk of intensifying the effects of climate change leading to worst-case scenarios in the future.
1. Decrease Energy Consumption
The simple act of turning the lights off when nobody is in the office and lowering air conditioning or heating are just some ways to reduce energy consumption. Also, pay attention to employees’ working habits, routines, and working schedule to find more ways on how to efficiently get the work done while saving energy.
2. Reduce Waste and Introduce Environment-Friendly Ways to Work
Reducing the amount of waste the office generates is another way to also reduce carbon footprint. All companies leave waste whether it’s from a large company or a small business with few employees.
For starters, encourage everyone in your company to bring their own cups or company cups instead of disposable ones.
Promote environmental-friendly ways for everyone to work. The coronavirus outbreak has endangered all our safety and also changed the way most people work. Thankfully, technology has enabled people to be more productive in their own homes. We saw the impact of having fewer petrol-fueled vehicles on the road. It’s a testament that without fossil fuels we would get bluer skies and cleaner air.
If the circumstances permit, have employees work from home. This will result in not only reducing pollution but reducing waste as well. Since digital processes will enable you to reduce paper usage.
However, if you’re working in the office, then start digitizing your processes. Key business processes are going digital. From marketing, brand awareness, sales opportunities, and client onboarding, everyone is transitioning online because customers are there.
Industries like the manufacturing and oil industries should analyze their processes and design the right waste management system, including how to prevent accidents that could lead to more waste. These could cover any issues, from spill containment like a rollover bund to reducing the amount of packaging to waste exchange.
Encourage everyone to do their part, and teach each other eco-friendly ways to work.
3. Look into Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Major oil companies are now looking into renewable energy and are starting to invest in them to not only support the movement but also to better position themselves for the transition. As a surge of homeowners is looking to switch to renewable energy sources as well, more and more supplies around the world are becoming readily available. The bottom lineis to avoid fossil fuels, save costs, and reduce carbon footprint.
4. Partner with Sustainable Suppliers
Sustainable suppliers are key players in speeding up the movement towards easing up climate change. As a company, you always have the power to choose the supplier you want to work with, so always go for the environmentally friendly choice and partner with suppliers who exhibit the same practices as you.
5. Promote Awareness to Employees, Clients and Stakeholders
Companies have the power to raise important issues, and it all starts with raising awareness with the employees, partners, customers, and stakeholders. Conduct campaigns, webinars, and conventions promoting awareness on sustainability problems that are affecting lives of people worldwide. Use your influence and power to partner with other organizations to inspire and influence others to take action.
6. Protect Your Business and Protect the Earth
Roadblocks will be present in any kind of transition towards a better future. Aiming to rid the world of climate change is no different. Sustainability, renewable energy, effective waste management, and eliminating climate change completely will require a lot of work, money, and cooperation.
Many companies are working to advance the technology that will lead to renewable energy being a publicly embraced system. Digital technology is part of the cause of climate change, and it will also be part of the solution. If we work collectively, small steps will lead to giant leaps. We must do what we can to stop climate change and reverse its effects.
