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Global Warming is the phenomenon of increasing average air temperature near the earths surfaces over the past 100 years or so. Much has been written and said about this but the evidence now is clear that the issue is a real problem and if left unabated will have disastrous consequences for the planet. The world’s leaders have met over recent years to agree pathways to address this issue. The COP meetings lead to an legally binding international treaty on climate change in Paris in 2015. This goal was to limit global average temperatures to well below 2°C above pre industrial levels. 1.5°C was seen as the target level to avoid a higher level of risk of more frequent droughts, heatwaves, rainfall and sea level increases. Each COP meeting since then reviews progress and targets towards this goal of limiting global temperatures.
To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 and decline 45% by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.
The UN set up the Race to Zero campaign to ensure alignment to the 1.5°C target
https://www.un.org/en/climate-action/race-net-zero-economy
Many companies of all sizes are now signed up to this Race to Zero campaign and whilst many countries and large business have signed up SME’s (Small to Medium Enterprises) are an essential part of this journey.
The journey towards Net Zero can be quite daunting for small business/SME and its sometimes difficult to know where to start and indeed many small business do not have the resources to start the journey themselves. SME sustainability can help you by offering short term help with particular projects in the journey or long term help with the whole journey. To break it down this section tries to give some practical advice of where to start and also some links to other companies that can help.
The three essential elements are