The United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26), held in Glasgow, has had a great international impact.
From the strong tone of the young activist Greta Thunberg; through the call of Prince William of England for the brightest minds to focus on finding solutions to save this planet; and for the speech of Simón Kofe, Minister of Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu, who highlighted how what was mainland on his small Polynesian island, is now a flooded area.
From the summit and from the entire stage it is clear that the world needs specific and urgent actions from all countries to stop the effects that industrialization has brought on the planet, since, if they are not adopted effectively, we will leave it to them. to our descendants it will be less and less habitable.
These actions do not correspond exclusively to governments, companies –both public and private– must also embrace within their DNA, responsibility policies focused on eco-sustainability.
From organizations
Sustainability in companies generally addresses two main categories: the effect companies have on the environment or the effect they have on society.
According to information outlined in an article by the Up Spain company: “The objective of a sustainable business strategy is to have a positive impact in any of these areas. When companies do not take responsibility, problems such as environmental degradation, inequality and social injustice can occur ”.
According to Peter Bakker, CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, business sustainability is a challenge for today and it is a priority that companies measure and manage environmental, social and governance management with the same rigor as they manage their finances.
This creates long-term value, and produces positive results for the company, the economy and society.
Already in 2015, the United Nations (UN) approved the 2030 agenda on Sustainable Development, being an opportunity for countries and their citizens to embark on a new path in which to improve the lives of all.
The agenda formulated 17 Sustainable Development Goals: end of poverty; zero hunger; Health & Wellness; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduction of inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible production and consumption; climate action; submarine life; life of terrestrial ecosystems; peace, justice and strong institutions; and, alliances to achieve the objectives.
These Sustainable Development Goals seek to achieve holistic growth, since they integrate many other facets that do not have to do exclusively with the environment, but that have a direct impact on it, with a view to achieving economic development by ending poverty, and promoting inclusion social without leaving anyone behind.
What defines a company with a sustainable vision?
This type of company can be defined as one where actions are carried out that have a positive impact on the environment and that contribute to less environmental pollution.
In a business of this type, the staff becomes globally aware of the use of resources such as water and electricity, and learns to manage waste and office supplies more efficiently, the disuse of paper and controls the excess in the use of the tools that technology offers us.
These, among others, are lines that must be adopted for the good of the planet and savings, both for the organization and its resources.
A reality that affects Latin America
In the case of Panama, the environment in which its companies operate affects the supply chain and regulatory issues, offering margins for innovation and new ways of doing business in this country.
Understanding key sectors directly related to environmental sustainability, such as energy, water, pollution, environmental resilience, forests and biodiversity, and food and agriculture, helps companies make strategic decisions regarding environmental and sustainability trends, enhancing brand reputation and ensuring long-term operations, and ultimately increasing bottom line.
The sustainability applied to the business strategy goes far beyond the fulfillment of legal, tax or labor obligations, being of vital importance the increase in the investment of human capital, the environment and the relations with the interlocutors. The experience acquired by investing in technologies and business practices that respect the environment, in addition to complying with all laws, increases the competitiveness of organizations.
Globally, the fight against climate change has become one of the main social and economic concerns. Sudden weather changes, the appearance of new diseases, the disappearance of glaciers, deforestation and the destruction of biodiversity are some of the problems we are facing and that justify serious and rigorous environmental policies.
In 2019, 37% of the world’s electricity was generated from coal. This mineral is one of the most polluting and carbon-emitting fossil fuels. At the Glascow summit, 46 countries pledged to phase out the use of coal.
Among the nations that joined the commitment there are large consumers of this fossil fuel, such as Poland, Vietnam and Chile, but the main polluters, such as China, the United States, Australia and India, did not join.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), on a global scale it is estimated that around 90% of the population lives in areas with air pollution, that is, 9 out of 10 people, as a consequence of this, and 1 of every 10 deaths that occur on the planet is due to that pollution. This dramatic statistic makes up the fourth most important risk factor for death on planet Earth.
In a list prepared by Air Visual and Greenpeace, there are several Latin American countries as the most polluted. Peru is ranked number 21; followed by Chile in 26; Mexico in 33; Brazil at 44, and Colombia occupies the 50th position in the ranking.
Consumer awareness is increasingly changing towards eco-sustainability, so it will be the companies that integrate within their policies specific actions aimed at saving the planet, those that prevail in the tastes of their current and potential customers who demand products and services. .
Waiting for consensus
According to information from the EFE agency, the negotiations to reach an agreement at COP26 will be extended beyond the deadline set for the closure, which was set at 18:00 GMT yesterday. This was confirmed by the president of the UN climate summit, former British minister Alok Sharma.
Because there are “pending issues” to reach a consensus regarding a final document, Sharma has decided to convene a new plenary at a time that has not yet been confirmed, when it will be checked whether positions have been approached, after which it hopes to present a draft of revised text.
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