From commitment to action: How business can lead on climate this Earth Day
This Earth Day, the message is clear: We need urgent, comprehensive climate action, and businesses must help deliver it.
The private sector plays a critical role in turning ambition into action. From reducing supply chain emissions to investing in nature, businesses have the tools, know-how and influence to initiate change.
Climate action is not just the right thing to do — it’s a smart business move.
While Governments must play a critical role in taking action to reduce emissions and build climate resilience, they can’t do it alone. The private sector also has an essential role to play.
Businesses inspire innovation, encourage investment and have the ability to scale proven initiatives. Support for government-led action and aligning business strategies with national climate goals facilitates global progress.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are one way businesses can take action. NbS are actions that protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges while benefiting biodiversity and human well-being.
This approach is one of the smartest investments a business can make. Protecting and restoring forests, soils, wetlands, and oceans helps fight climate change and supports the natural systems that global economies critically rely on.
These solutions also create jobs, reduce risk, and strengthen supply chains. When companies invest in nature, they are investing in the long-term success of their business.
The world is heating up faster than expected, and we already feel the adverse effects.
Now is the time to follow through—not just commit, but act. Businesses must take a holistic and strategic approach to their environmental impact. This includes prioritizing immediate actions while planning for long-term transformation by:
- Reducing pollution where it is most harmful, incorporating nature and communities into decision-making.
- Scaling positive change and resilience by choosing responsible suppliers and, in turn, shifting entire economies away from our wasteful, exploitative past into a healthier, more prosperous future.
It’s long past time to move from commitment to action. Join us.
