Everything you need to know about the 2021 Conference on Health and Climate Change

We’re over halfway through COP26, so what has it achieved and what does it mean for you?

The climate crisis is the issue that will define this generation and impact all future generations on the planet. As the need for decisive and effective action becomes more pressing and public awareness grows, we wanted to use this week’s blog post to focus on how COP26 is shaping the narrative.

20,000 heads of state, activists, lobbyists, protesters and diplomats have converged on Glasgow over the past fortnight (some estimates suggest there were many more) to make their views heard on what action needs to be taken.

For the business community, it is crucial to be aware of what can be done to enhance green credentials, adopt more sustainable approaches to work and meet incoming compliance initiatives as they arise. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at what the current conference is hoping to achieve.

Why is the conference relevant?

In recent years, much of the discussions around climate change have focused on the future threats it poses, urging governments and organisations alike to work towards the net zero goal by 2050. However, for people in some of the world’s poorest countries, the impact of climate change is happening right now.

Currently, two million Kenyans are experiencing the affects of frequent droughts, while an estimated 500,000 Bangladeshis are forced to leave their homes every year due to rising sea levels and flooding. The climate crisis has also been directly linked to world hunger and poverty, with countries most reliant on agriculture feeling the impact of extreme temperatures, heavy precipitation and droughts. A recent analysis found that climate change could cause the number of chronically hungry people to reach 78 million by 2050 unless action is taken.

What are this year’s key topics?

It’s clear that effective steps are needed sooner rather than later, and that’s exactly what COP26 hopes to achieve. This year, the conference is focussing on two key areas: climate justice and green recovery.

Climate justice aims to make financial support for tackling climate change more fairly distributed across the world, particularly the Global South. First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has highlighted just how “critical” the conference is to “countries in the South who need fair financial support now to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency and who need to see clear steps taken to keep the target of capping temperature increases at 1.5 degrees alive.”

Meanwhile, the conference has also prioritised a green recovery from COVID-19 – creating sustainable jobs and tackling the linked concerns of public health, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Why should your organisation be paying attention?

The decisions made at COP26 will impact us all – individuals and organisations alike. It’s important for businesses to pay attention to the conference in order to stay up to date with any new information that impacts their day-to-day running. This could take the form of new guidelines they must adhere to, or new support avenues to help them reach green targets. It could also lead to significant changes when it comes to business energy.

Sustainability is vital to today’s consumers. Going green brings benefits for all, including new business opportunities and more ethical practices. The importance of climate action in the minds of consumers means that green businesses are doing well, and the decisions made at COP26 will ultimately drive consumer behaviour. And energy supply is one of the key ways businesses can reduce their carbon footprint. 

Consultiv Utilities can help you achieve a greener and more cost-effective energy supply. Get in touch with our team today to speak to our consultants, or sign up to receive more information on how to make the most of your business energy. Contact Us

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