Businesses should declare a climate emergency

The climate emergency is the defining issue of our times. Local and national governments around the world have declared climate emergencies.

An official declaration of climate emergency puts a government on a “wartime mobilisation” that places climate change at the centre of policy and planning decisions.

But it’s not just governments and public organisations that can declare a climate emergency.

Businesses can too.

If you’re in business, addressing climate risk should be on your agenda because of the risk it poses to the entire economic system and to every individual business.

But, of course, it’s not just about declaring a climate emergency. At the heart of this is action. Without action it’s a pointless exercise.  

Here are four actions you can consider taking as part of your climate emergency declaration:

Gain buy-in.

Explicitly use the language of ‘climate emergency’ and discuss how to amend your articles to reinforce decision making processes and director duties. Tell your staff, shareholders and customers.

Embed climate change into your strategy.

Set goals by which you will radically reduce your overall carbon footprint and assign this process to a dedicated and accountable person, or you!

Enable action.

Empower employees, colleagues, and shareholders to become active and support them to push for change where they have influence and spread the word.

Gather support.

This can’t be done in silo. Share your experiences and encourage others in your industry and beyond to declare a climate emergency.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Get in touch for guidance and declare a climate emergency, take the action needed to make the real change that is so urgently needed, and reach your net zero ambitions.

The time for talking is over. Today we need to act.