Taking Bold Steps to Address the Climate Crisis
by Tim Greiner
19 September 2019
The climate crisis and its impact on extreme weather, future carbon regulation, and the threat of this worsening are driving companies to manage risks and ensure a future for their business by setting aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — but is it enough?
According to The Independent, “July 2019 is … the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. We are on track for the period from 2015 to 2019 to be the five hottest years on record … the battle against climate change is the “race of our lives.”
This is driving over three hundred organizations to set climate targets in line with the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions scientists say are needed to stay within reasonable atmospheric warming levels – known as science-based targets. The reductions needed are substantial. Agribusiness giant Cargill is working to reduce GHG emissions from its beef production chain by 30% by 2030. This will equate to removing 2 million cars from U.S. highways for a year.
However, leading companies understand that typical efforts to achieve efficiencies throughout the business, even working upstream or downstream are not enough. Bold steps are needed.
This means changing the business model and working beyond the usual spheres of influence. Ben & Jerry’s, as a part of their science-based target efforts, is shifting their product portfolio to include plant-based desserts. The smaller carbon footprint from almond-milk ice cream is a step-change from the incremental improvements possible with dairy-based ice cream. Seventh Generation developed a set of ambitious science-based climate targets, including a 100% commitment to clean energy, and has focused efforts on changing the U.S. electricity grid through a partnership with the Sierra Club.
“Firms that take a stand on values, sustainability, and climate resiliency are better fit to serve and retain customers,” notes Forbes. It is more than a business benefit, setting science-based targets and taking bold steps to change is a business imperative. Are you ready to join the leading companies taking the bold steps for our future?
This article originally appeared in the USA Today special supplement: "Digital Supply Chain" on September 25, 2019.
Written by Tim Greiner
Tim Greiner, a Pure Strategies Co-founder and Managing Director, has pioneered approaches to building environmental and social integrity into products, brands, and businesses. His experience spans the spectrum from developing sustainability strategy, drafting sustainability goals, designing product sustainability programs, creating approaches to transform sustainable supply chains and fostering collaborative mechanisms to lift the sustainability performance of entire industries. He is currently working with several progressive businesses on developing science-based targets and comprehensive climate strategies. He is a co-founder of the Chemical Footprint Project and has guided sustainable chemicals management strategies for companies across diverse industries. He has also led regenerative agriculture projects with food brands and retailers. Current and former clients include Annie’s, Walmart, Seventh Generation, Ben & Jerry’s, The North Face, Stonyfield Farm, MilliporeSigma and U.S. EPA.
Tim holds Masters’ degrees in Environmental Policy and Business from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a founding member of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Planners Association and a former Board member and President. He is also founder of the Cape Ann Climate Change Network and is a Research Associate at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. Tim has experience in industry as a Process Engineer for Fairchild Semiconductor. He also worked for the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance as Project Director and Chief Engineer.
