The Climate Of Business #118: Secondhand clothing, nature restoration laws, and micro-plastics - this week in summary

Climate Change Reality

• Extreme heat summit to urge leaders to act on threat from rising temperatures (The Guardian )
• Humanity Is dangerously pushing its ability to tolerate heat (WIRED )
• Scotland's climate target unreachable says watchdog (BBC )
• EU nature restoration laws face collapse as member states withdraw support (The Guardian )

• Easter egg prices soar by 50%. Is climate change to blame? (Euronews )

• ‘New climate reality’ stretches global freshwater supply (Financial Times )
• Insurance rates are soaring for US homeowners in climate danger zones (WIRED )
• Extreme heat can double stillbirth among working women - study (BBC )
• Scientists find evidence of micro-plastic contamination in ‘pristine’ archaeological remains (Euronews )
• Melting of polar ice having effect on global timekeeping, research says (Financial Times )

Business Climate Reality

• Secondhand clothing on track to take 10% of global fashion sales (The Guardian )
• Buildings create 37% of greenhouse gases. Here's how to change that (Euronews )

• EU electricity carbon tax will hit net zero targets and consumers, industry warns (Financial Times )
• US unveils strict car emission limits to boost EVs (BBC )?
• Regulators urged to act over water companies’ record sewage discharge (The Guardian )
• Transport on track to produce nearly half of Europe’s emissions by 2030 (Euronews )
• How the private sector can lead on sustainable development in the Middle East and North Africa (World Economic Forum )
• Climate investors see growing opportunities in water tech (Financial Times )

Reality Check

While decarbonisation is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage enabler, necessary for long-term business survival, there is still vast action needed across the private sector for global net-zero goals to be achieved. In a rapidly evolving global economy, businesses ignoring this shift towards sustainability ultimately risk obsolescence. Accordingly, this week’s newsletter discusses tangible steps businesses can take to adapt to the green transition by reducing their office emissions.

What role do office emissions play in overall carbon footprint?

According to the International Energy Agency, commercial and residential buildings account for 36% of global final energy consumption and nearly 40% of total CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, commercial buildings account for around 18% of the United Kingdom’s total carbon footprint. Similarly, energy used in offices is responsible for over 60% of their greenhouse gas emissions . The buildings sector is a key contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing 35% of energy-related EU emissions in 2023. If global net-zero targets are to be achieved, energy consumption in buildings must drop by 25% , and fossil fuel use must decrease by more than 40%, together with a complete phase-out of the polluting traditional use of biomass by 2030.

Why reduce the carbon footprint of your office?

To put this into perspective, nearly 40% of carbon emissions related to energy usage worldwide come from buildings, contributing to a staggering 33% of global GHG emissions, while homes make up almost 20% of this total. Accordingly, office emissions play a significant part in their contribution to not only a company’s environmental footprint, but also global carbon emissions.?

These emissions from buildings result from two main factors:

1. The daily operation of a building (e.g. the energy required for lighting, heating, or cooling homes, office buildings, and shopping centres).
2. The materials used in constructing them (e.g. the production of building materials, such as cement, steel, and glass, requires significant amounts of energy and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere). Moreover, the demolition and disposal of buildings at the end of their life cycle is a contributing factor.

While a typical office building in Europe consumes between 200-300 kWh/m2 per year, low-energy buildings typically consume under around 50 kWh/m2 per year. As such, there is a clear need to transition to low-energy buildings.?

Ultimately reducing emissions isn't just good for the environment, it can significantly benefit your business and generate a significant return-on-investment (ROI). Knowing that around 80% of the buildings we have today will exist in 2050 , we must retrofit them for energy efficiency. Firstly, it can save you money on energy costs, and by reducing your energy consumption, you can lower your utility bills and increase your bottom line. Additionally, reducing emissions can improve your company's reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers. This customer base is growing exponentially as 84% of customers say that poor environmental practices will alienate them from a brand or company.

Interested in learning more about the financial and non-financial benefits of decarbonisation? Read here.

5 key actions to reduce office emissions

Now we have a clear idea of the critical role that office emissions play in business decarbonisation and global sustainability efforts, it is essential that businesses focus on the following solutions to reduce emissions in offices:

Visit Plan A’s academy for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to reducing office greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Use energy-efficient lighting: Using energy-efficient lighting such as LED bulbs, CFL or T5 fluorescent can save up to 75% of energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. According to the US Department of Energy, businesses can save up to $0.06 per square foot per year by using energy-efficient lighting.

1. Optimise heating and cooling systems: Optimising heating and cooling systems with programmable thermostats, clean filters, and energy-efficient HVAC systems can save energy and reduce emissions. A well-maintained HVAC system can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.?

1. Encourage sustainable transportation: Encouraging sustainable transportation options such as public transportation, carpooling, biking, and walking can make a huge impact in reducing emissions from employee commuting. In fact, transportation accounts for 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Retrofit existing buildings: Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient measures such as insulation, energy-efficient windows, and renewable energy systems can reduce emissions. A report by C40 Cities revealed retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient measures could reduce their carbon emissions by up to 50% by 2030.

1. Use green certifications: Using green certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, or WELL to design and operate sustainable buildings can greatly reduce emissions. Buildings with green certifications have been found to emit 34% less carbon dioxide, use 25% less energy, and consume 11% less water than non-certified buildings, according to the US Green Building Council. ?

Reducing emissions in office buildings is essential for mitigating the impact of climate change. The carbon footprint of office buildings can be reduced through energy-efficient measures, sustainable transportation options, and choosing sustainable suppliers and products. Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient measures and designing and operating sustainable buildings with green certifications can also significantly reduce emissions. By taking action to reduce their carbon footprint, offices can contribute to the fight against climate change while also benefiting financially and attracting environmentally conscious customers and employees.

Reduce emissions for your office and contribute to a more sustainable future. Book a demo with Plan A .

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