For far too long have we put the responsibility of climate change and its solutions on governments of the world. While there is no doubt that countries play a major role, the role of the private sector is crucial too. It is heart-warming, encouraging and delightful to see that they have pledged to do their part in an overwhelming manner.
"It is imperative that businesses take an active role in meeting the goals set out by the Paris Climate Agreement", Anna Walker, Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy, Levis Strauss & Co.
"All parts of society have a role to play in tackling climate change, but policy and business leadership is crucial. The Paris Agreement was a bold step towards a cleaner, brighter future, and must be protected. IKEA will continue to work together with other businesses and policy makers to build a low-carbon economy, because we know that together, we can build a better future", Lars Petersson, President, IKEA USA.
"HP reaffirms its support for the Paris Climate Agreement and the global efforts to address climate change. We believe that working with like-minded businesses and governments, we can reinvent how we do business and transition to a new low carbon economy." Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability & Social Impact Officer, HP Inc.
Sometimes the fear of the worst, propels us to making commitments. Hand on our hearts, fingers crossed, we make pledges, like boy scouts. In this case, it was Donald Trump's anti-environmental stance that got these commitments from the over 600 businesses. In an open letter, they sent to Trump called 'Business backs low carbon USA', they appeal to Trump as a businessman, in hopes that he will heed the advice of those likeminded in the commercial sense, and understand that climate change is a real threat to the economic health of the country. Investors who have signed the letter collectively manage more than US$2 trillion and include the New York State Common Retirement Fund and the California State Teachers Retirement System. That is a lot of backing from the private sector.
Lest you feel that business need to be coerced by the Trumps of the world, the Green Peace Click Clean report says that Apple, Google, and Facebook, along with the data center company Switch, are spearheading the greening of the IT sector, when it comes to their energy sources. That's the good news. With the IT sector accounting for nearly 7% of global electricity consumption, and considering the rapid rate at which internet platforms, services, and devices are being adopted worldwide, shifting the energy sources for the operations of those companies over to renewables will remain a challenge in the years to come.
Greenpeace says that global internet traffic is anticipated to triple by 2020, with some 4 billion users embracing the digital age by then. Hence greening the IT space for a more sustainable future, is a good thing. However we see many challenges particularly from East Asia. "We must see East Asian internet companies exhibiting the will to commit to 100 percent renewable energy, particularly as they expand to markets around the world. Leading IT companies in the United States have already shown that the majority of the industry recognizes that clean power is both good for the environment and good for business. East Asian companies must step up to embrace that reality as well", said Jude Lee, Greenpeace East Asia Senior Climate and Energy Campaigner.
