We’ve all seen the headline news that just 57 companies create 80% of the world’s carbon emissions. While these firms deserve to be held accountable, we shouldn’t overlook the hidden green revolution occurring in the world of commerce.
Today, businesses around the globe are making serious changes to their policies to reduce their carbon emissions and minimize their environmental impact. These wide-scale changes can meaningfully reduce global emissions and are designed to win over climate-conscious consumers.
The green revolution in business is helping tech firms push the boundaries on eco-friendly innovation, too. This means that many modern businesses can take advantage of cutting-edge breakthroughs in green tech, like biofuels, sustainable construction, and automated fabrication.
Environmental Reporting
Accurate reporting is at the core of all genuine efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change. Without accurate reporting, companies can effectively dodge accountability and use underhand greenwashing tactics to market themselves as sustainable. This is a real issue, as greenwashing undermines the hard work of firms that genuinely reduce their emissions. Accurate reporting can combat greenwashing by:
- Ensuring that companies are specific about their actual impact;
- Giving firms clear goals to work towards in their efforts to cut back on emissions;
- Improving business’ ability to meet compliance policies and government regulations;
- Increasing consumers’ understanding of climate change prompts them to support greener enterprises.
Accurate reporting is particularly important for brands that want to build a climate-conscious image. This is something that big brands like Crocs do well. Crocs, which has recently revitalized its brand image, clearly explains its emissions on its website and shares its goals freely with consumers. Doing so increases the transparency of their operations and helps them build trust with customers.
Biofuels
Big businesses are always looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage. That’s why many modern companies are exploring biofuels. If leveraged correctly, biofuels could significantly diminish the firm’s carbon footprint while saving them money. Additional pros of biofuels include:
- Increase engine longevity;
- 86% lower emissions;
- True renewability, as plants and oils are sustainable fuel sources.
However, utilizing biofuels can be tricky for companies with fleets of trucks or cars driving long distances. Ethanol burns quickly, and finding locations to refuel can push drivers off the most direct route when they complete their journey.
Fortunately, the slow pivot towards renewable fuels like biofuel means more gas stations offer electric charging and biofuels today than ever before.
Sustainable Buildings
Many people mistakenly believe that sustainability infringes on business growth. However, corporations that take their commitment to climate change seriously can now lean on a range of green building materials to expand their presence and open new locations. Examples of innovations in green construction include:
- Rainwater harvesting systems;
- Low-carbon buildings that trap emissions;
- Natural building materials, including hempcrete green roofs.
The recent rise of AI advancements allows the construction industry to build more sustainable structures, too. Today’s business architects can use artificial intelligence to reduce the environmental impact of new business buildings by creating plans that feature innovative solutions like smart lighting, smart flooring, and predictive HVAC control. This reduces the emissions created by any given building and can help site managers track energy use.
Artificial intelligence is forging new paths in construction materials, too. AI-assisted programs can now print 3D buildings that can be prefabricated away from the building site. These 3D-printed buildings use fewer resources than traditional builds and can be completed in under 24 hours. Additionally, AI-enhanced research has led to an explosion in the recycled brick industry, where innovators have created eco-friendly bricks that do not require firing in a kiln.
Supply Chain Emissions
Many companies take steps to reduce their direct environmental impact. Some businesses invest in community clean-ups, while others track and reduce emissions by using smart tools to cut down their energy usage. However, for a lot of businesses, the bulk of their emissions can be found in their upstream supply chain.
As such, firms must start partnering with sustainable freight companies to cut down on the emissions associated with sourcing raw materials. Businesses that support greener freighting benefit from the following:
- Reduce emissions;
- Decreased costs due to increased efficiency;
- Enhanced brand loyalty amongst climate-conscious consumers;
- Long-term savings, as firms that pivot towards green solutions now will be better positioned in the future when green freighting becomes essential;
- Improved employee morale, as most folks want to work for sustainable businesses.
Supporting eco-friendly freighting can help businesses build a network of sustainable, eco-friendly suppliers, too. This is crucial today, as eco-friendly firms are more resilient against global conflict or weather events that spike oil prices. By opting to work with sustainable freighters, which produce their energy from renewable sources, firms can more accurately predict their costs and will remain resilient following a disruption to oil prices.
Conclusion
A green revolution is occurring within businesses across the globe. More firms are taking their commitment to climate change seriously, and many businesses are investing in smart tools that track emissions and use automation to suggest changes to site managers. This is good news for consumers, who largely want to support businesses that protect the environment and support eco-friendly initiatives.
However, more must be done to ensure that for-profit companies remain accountable. This is key, as many businesses still use marketing tactics like greenwashing to obscure the reality of their impact. As such, consumers must continue to vote with their dollars to reduce the risk of greenwashing and support the continued growth of companies that make serious corporate sustainability efforts.
