It's time to take action for climate-resilient development

Pablo H. Plá, CEO San Miguel

Published on June 21, 2023 on Infobae.

Advances in climate risk reduction would also have a positive impact on the poor, improving their quality of life.

Progress in reducing climate risks would also have a positive impact on the poor, improving their quality of life.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - which released its sixth report in March this year - the successful adoption of climate-resilient development policies, which include the integration of measures to adapt to the climate crisis along with actions to reduce or avoid Greenhouse Gas emissions, depends to a large extent on businesses, governments and individuals to care and take action.

One of the key points the paper makes is that the solution to ensuring a sustainable and liveable future for all is to take more ambitious and immediate action urgently, especially by organisations.

Accelerated climate action requires companies that are committed to climate action.

This means integrating climate change adaptation measures with actions to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions in ways that bring wider benefits. For example, access to clean energy and technologies improves health, especially for women and children; low-carbon electrification, walking and cycling, and public transport improve air quality, health and employment opportunities, while promoting equity. The economic benefits to human health from improved air quality alone would be roughly equal to, or perhaps even greater than, the costs of reducing or avoiding emissions.

Accelerated climate action requires climate-committed businesses. Currently, funding is insufficient and investment in new actions and strategies needs to be encouraged. Progress in reducing climate risks would also have a positive impact on the poor, improving their quality of life.

The global warming time bomb is ticking, but business can help defuse it.

The report also states that there is a lot of work to be done: for a pathway aligned with 1.5°C with no or minimal excedance, the following targets are required:

● 2030 = 48% CO2 reduction.

● 2035 = 65% CO2 reduction.

● 2040 = 80% CO2 reduction.

● 2050 = 99% CO2 reduction.

Solar and wind energy, urban electric systems, urban green infrastructure, energy efficiency, demand-side management, improving forests and crop and grassland management, and reducing food waste and loss are technically feasible, which can help achieve these goals. These actions are becoming increasingly cost-effective and are generally supported by society.

The global warming time bomb is ticking, but business can help defuse it.