COP29: Why Climate Action?

A quick definition of “climate”

Climate is a specific geographical region’s average weather over a certain time. This period, the so-called standard period, generally lasts for 30 years. If the statistical mean values for temperature, wind or rain change over a more extended period (decades or longer), it demonstrates climate change.

2023 – the warmest year on record

Climate change refers to the average temperature and weather pattern shifts that define a specific location over an extended period. It can also mean the rise in global temperatures from heat-trapping gases regarding mining and using oil, coal and other fossil fuels.

Some shifts may be natural, although, since 1800, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily through burning fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere and oceans above what a natural cycle can cope with. This causes local and global climate shifts and accelerated changes.

As emissions continue to increase, Earth was about 1.36°C warmer in 2023 than in the late 1800s, according to NASA, among others. This confirms 2023 as the warmest year on record. Climate change generally equates to warmer temperatures, but other effects include droughts, fires, flooding, storms, melting ice and biodiversity loss.

What can organizations do to help?

Climate change is impacting everything and everywhere, from the environment and economies to human health and security. It is costing people, communities and countries now, and will cost even more in the future.

All organizations can take simple and cost-effective “climate action”. Climate action is a set of activities to tackle climate change and its impacts. This is usually done by decreasing GHG emissions.

Here are some actions that organizations can take, including adaptation and cross-sector coordination:

Climate adaptation

Climate adaptation, or climate change adaptation, is the act of preparing for and adjusting to climate change’s current and projected consequences. It can be policies and measures to make societies and companies more resilient to climate change’s impacts. For example, cities and towns can build seawalls to protect from rising sea levels.

Climate impact

Climate impact is the cross-sector coordination to bring about large-scale changes.

Climate mitigation

Climate mitigation, or climate change mitigation, is the process of minimizing GHG emissions and decreasing the amount of heat-trapping pollution. This mitigation differs from climate adaptation, which entails actions to adjust our lives or infrastructure to a new reality.

Climate mitigation examples include switching to renewable energy or making older equipment more energy efficient to limit climate change effects.

Climate positive

Climate positive happens when an organization or individual exceeds carbon neutrality by removing additional carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, also dubbed carbon negative.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

The EU’s CBAM places a carbon price on imports of products from countries with less ambitious national climate change policies. Proposed by the European Commission in 2021, the system aims to prevent carbon leakage. Part of the European Green Deal, the CBAM is expected to come into force in 2026.

Our CBAM training and support services include ongoing support, accounting, gap assessments and emissions verification to help you meet the requirements.

UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13

UN SDG 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It can help you address the topic and align with the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Complete your climate mission for a better tomorrow

As a sustainability leader for over 30 years, we can support your effective emissions reductions and transition to net zero. Our services include:

GHG emissions:

• GHG emissions consulting
• Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) target setup
• Carbon footprint verification (corporate, product and facility)
• Offset and removal project validation and verification
• Carbon neutrality claim verification
• EU/UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
• CBAM

Energy transition:

• Asset decarbonization – management systems certification, energy audits and verification of savings
• Renewable energy CAPEX/OPEX assurance
• New fuels – testing and certification
• EV battery testing – power conversion systems (PCS) for energy storage

Visit our climate services page or contact us to start or enhance your climate-related journey.