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An estimated 4 billion people—equivalent to approximately 54 percent of the world’s overall population—reside in cities. The global urban population is projected to escalate to 66 percent by 2050. The UN, however, claims that the current rise in the cities' population  is unsustainable. Many cities do not have enough resources to sustain the projected population growth. Cities experience sustainability issues such as pollution, public health problems, overcrowding and social instability. These issues can lead to resource depletion and potentially low worker productivity, which can cause greater inefficiencies within cities that impact productivity.

CDP performance is one of the key indicators of a sustainable business, helping to evaluate the impact companies have on climate change. Investors and customers consider a business’ CDP performance to be a good indicator of its sustainability. CDP’s rankings measure transparency of climate change impacts, as well as the efforts taken to mitigate and reduce those negative impacts. The CDP Climate Change Questionnaire focuses on how businesses incorporate climate change risk analysis into planning, strategy, risk, and opportunities reporting. Disclosing an organization’s sustainability efforts, such as improving climate change impacts, as a part of its core business strategies can improve its CDP performance.

The terms “renewable energy” and “sustainable energy” are often interchanged. However, their meanings are actually different. Renewable energy is defined as “[energy] produced using natural resources that are constantly replaced and never run out.” This includes, but is not limited to, solar energy, hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal, ocean energy, and wind energy. Sustainable energy refers to “[energy that] meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Since Ontario started its cap and trade program on January 1, 2017, it has generated CAD$2.4 billion dollars in revenue for the province in 5 auctions - money allocated for carbon reducing projects. But, what about the downside? From what I can see, there is very little, but it still needs to be addressed.

Current World Progress on Sustainable Development Goals Reporting

Many businesses are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the 2017 United Nations Global Compact Progress Report, 75 percent of firms report that they “are taking action on the [SDGs].” Approximately 69 percent of CEOs take part in the creation and monitoring of sustainable development strategies and policies. The top five SDGs that companies focus on are Goal 8 (Good Jobs and Economic Growth), Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption).

The toll of climate change on businesses is highlighted by research published in a study by the London School of Economics. The study found that the global economy suffers losses up to USD 24 trillion due to climate change. As a result, ESG investing is on the rise. Data from the Bank of America Corporation revealed that “ESG investing has grown by more than 97 percent globally [from 1997 to 2017].”

Adopted by representatives of 195 countries at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in 2015 and signed in New York in 2016, the Paris Agreement set the universal goal of keeping the rate of global temperature rise this century less than 2°C above pre-industrial times. A key factor in achieving this goal is reducing and eliminating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Paris Agreement’s goal will require deliberate and strategic action on an international level, in addition to solid commitment from countries and corporations. Effective global strategies and plans to reduce GHG emissions will require a clear understanding of the quantities of GHG emissions to be reduced on an ‘organization-by-organization' basis.

Although it is face-numbing to endure an extended cold snap of -20C or more (more than -4F), that we have had for several weeks so far this winter, it is a great opportunity to seek and seal the energy leaks in your home because the 40-degree difference between the outside and inside temperatures (about 22C or 72F) is so extreme that they are easier to find. If you find and seal them now, your air conditioner will not have to be on as often, or as long because there will be less hot air getting into your home.

On Wednesday, January 31, ADEC Innovations hosted a webinar introducing CleanChain, our secure online chemical information management system, built for suppliers and supported by brands.