Thursday 22nd April 2021
Earth Day 2021
Earth Day continues to be a momentous and unifying day since its inception in 1970. Many important events have happened on Earth Day spanning three decades, including the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015. And this year is no different. The Biden Administration’s global climate summit will take place today, as well as several other digital events around the globe. This year’s theme – ‘Restore Our Earth’ focusses on climate change and environmental destruction. Restoring our Earth is bigger than one solution or one country’s efforts. We must come together as a global community to make changes, and more importantly make them quickly. Read more about Earth Day in our blog here.
What is the issue?
Climate change is one of the greatest threats of our time.
The evidence pointing toward catastrophic environmental events is growing ever clearer: rising temperatures are increasing the risk and frequency of extreme weather conditions such as drought, wildfires, and flooding; our icecaps are shrinking, resulting in accelerated sea level rises and vulnerable species are quickly becoming extinct.
Addressing these issues can no longer be delayed. The time is now. In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that without an urgent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and achievement of net zero by 2050, warming would surpass 1.5 degrees – leading to crisis for our ecosystems and society. Despite this warning, the world is currently on track for 3 degrees warming. The impacts of which would be catastrophic. But it’s not too late. Research suggests that we can minimise these future events if we limit global warming below 2 degrees. To achieve this, humanity must reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest to have a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5-2 degrees.
The solution – net zero
Net zero refers to achieving an overall balance between the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and those taken out. Considered a key way out of our climate crisis, governments, businesses and individuals have made net zero commitments since the Paris Agreement in 2015.
Brush up on all climate crisis jargon by reading our blog.
What we’re doing about it?
Reducing our emissions and impact on the environment have always been at the forefront of our operations. We’re also committed to sharing our expertise and experience with our clients looking to set their own emissions and sustainability goals. We’re now taking this one step further and today, on Earth Day, have launched our SustainABLE Pathway.
Introducing our SustainABLE Pathway
SustainABLE Pathway is our journey to net zero and the methodology we use to help our clients to achieve their own emissions reduction objectives. By combining our award-winning services, insight, and expertise in sustainability and engagement, we will support our customers on their own journey to net zero and unlock the unique carbon reduction opportunities from recycling. Over the next 3 months we’ll be announcing, week-by-week, our own key commitments to decarbonise our business – which in turn will benefit our customers and their own emissions targets.
Commitment 1
Today, on Earth Day we’re releasing our first commitment: By 2030 (at the latest), we commit to be net zero on our scope 1 and 2 emissions. This will be based on the GHGP Corporate standard. We’ll reach this goal through a series of company-wide initiatives, with carbon reduction at the heart of what we do. Key to this will be:
- Electrifying our fleet
- Launching lower carbon services and options
- And finally, when we cannot eliminate, offsetting residual emissions with our charity partner, Trees for Cities, who provide a carbon reduction-offset scheme in line with the ISO14064:2 standard
Here’s a sneak preview of what’s to come… We’ll be:
- Releasing a new commitment each week and highlight how this benefits our clients
- Launching new and innovative low-carbon services.
- Introducing our unique carbon reporting system to help clients report on scope 3 emissions
- Releasing a white paper all about net zero and what you can do right now to combat the climate crisis
- Hosting a series of unmissable webinars and client events
Plus, many more! Legislation is in place in the UK to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and as a business we will achieve this 20 years early. The path to net zero is complex and challenging but that shouldn’t be a reason to delay action. Join us today, on our SustainABLE Pathway and be part of the change.
Follow us on our social platforms to keep up to date on our latest announcements, our week-by-week commitments and for sign up information to our virtual events.
