Climate change
Showcasing business action for climate and development
World leaders convene in New York today to sign the landmark Paris Climate Agreement – as part of a full week of high-level meetings focused on the implementation of the UN’s new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As the business focal point for the United Nations (UN) climate talks, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hailed the COP21 agreement last December as a truly historic moment in global efforts to meet the climate challenge. But turning agreement into action – both on the SDGs and the Paris agreement – will require widespread business support and engagement.
The good news is that many businesses are already taking action to build the prosperous, low carbon economy of the future…
Business for 2030
Business for 2030 is the premier portal showcasing business actions to support the implementation of the SDGs. Launched by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), ICC’s national committee in the United States, the platform currently showcases 140 initiatives from over 40 companies – with new case studies being added each week.
Through the platform, companies can illustrate, for example, how they are working towards strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters – an essential target of SDG 13 (Climate Action). Take IBM and AECOM who have worked with the United Nations’ Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) to develop a scorecard to measure cities’ resilience to natural disasters; or Citi Group which has launched the $100 Billion Environmental Finance Initiative to invest in activities focused on environmental solutions.
Business actions submitted to the Business for 2030 platform currently cover 43% of the SDG targets, showing that business is already leveraging its resources to amplify the development efforts of UN Member States.
Other companies featured on the website have developed initiatives to ensure universal access to affordable and modern energy services while increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix. Walmart has announced that it aspires to power its operations with 100% renewable energy, while DuPont is commercializing cellulosic ethanol, the lowest carbon emitting and most sustainable transportation fuel in the world.
“The Business for 2030 portal shows the commitment of leading global businesses to sustainability. The private sector is capable of achieving even more if governments enable the right collaborative frameworks for action” said ICC Secretary General John Danilovich.
To find out more visit the USCIB Business for 2030 website.
Read the 8 ICC principles to mobilize investment for the SDGs.
Follow ICC at the COP21 high-level signature ceremony via @iccwbo and #ParisAgreement.