Increasingly, the world's largest companies have been talking to each other, public bodies and civil society to develop sustainable solutions for the changes the planet is going through.
You climate risks and the changes that this transformation imposes on the world challenge businesspeople, public administrators and citizens. The mission becomes finding new ways to seek economic growth, placing it on the same scale of importance as social development with little environmental impact.
From this need, initiatives such as the We Mean Business, which we will present to you now. Understand!
What is We Mean Business?
It is a coalition of organizations that encompass the world’s most influential businesses and investors. These companies recognize that the transition to a low-carbon economy is the only sure path towards sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all.
The goal is to create a platform that amplifies the dissemination of these ideas, encourages impactful climate actions and develops practical political actions for this transformation.
Big companies know why it's important
Dealing with climate change is our greatest challenge today. At the same time, proposing mechanisms to control it is also a great economic opportunity.
The impacts of the climate change we are experiencing are noticeable: damage to crops, problems in supply and distribution chains, risks in food production and water transfer, and a series of other uncertainties that increase the cost of doing business.
It is clear to big business that sustainable development will only continue to be possible if climate risks are controlled.
To reduce these risks, companies need to think about new ways of doing business. The economic transition will be less damaging and costly for everyone if this problem is contained as quickly as possible.
You need to understand what a low carbon economy is
The revolution of low carbon economy offers great opportunities for business, the local economy and society as a whole.
Companies have the potential to develop – and promote – a wave of innovation through low-carbon technologies.
If the right policies are in place, it is entirely possible to:
- – Create new products and services;
- – Generate employment;
- – Reduce energy consumption;
- – Increase revenue.
The investment in clean energy can promote public health by reducing pollutant emissions. Likewise, it can offer efficient and safe energy.
Many companies have already taken many steps in this endeavor: they have set ambitious goals, quantified emissions and invested in low-carbon practices.
However, change needs to happen faster. Government action can help more companies follow this path. Businesses need policies that encourage investment in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Only then will it be possible to develop major actions focused on a low-carbon economy and capable of positively impacting the communities most affected by climate change.
Why you should participate
Being ahead of the changes expected in the coming years is a great competitive advantage in the market. Your company can prepare for the transformations that will occur, sooner or later.
Prepare, for example, for taxation on the company's carbon emissions.
Several countries have already adopted carbon pricing tools, charging taxes on CO2 emissions. In these places, carbon is a commodity traded in markets created to help the private sector reduce the emission of gases that accelerate the greenhouse effect.
Each country has its own way of implementing this measure. In Mexico, the value of a ton of CO2 is equivalent to US$ 1, while Sweden has set the price at US$ 168.
A pricing has already begun to be discussed in Brazil and there are signs that it should be implemented in the coming years. Since 2012, the Ministry of Finance has been looking into the issue, analyzing whether or not the country is prepared to adopt these measures.
The expectation of taxation would help reduce risks associated with the business and boost investments in energy efficiency and sustainability projects.
The importance of We Mean Business in Brazil
The public and innovative companies realize the importance of choosing renewable energy sources and sustainably produced products.
The mission of the We Mean Business in Brazil is to show the social and economic benefits that businesses and society can have by joining these initiatives.
One of the objectives is to demonstrate the urgency of promoting an end to deforestation and preserving natural energy sources and biodiversity. Re-educating the market regarding these actions is essential for sustainable and prosperous development to be possible in the coming years.
