All is not lost.
For several decades, actions have been implemented that have proven to be efficient in the recovery of the ozone layer. For example, the near elimination of more than 100 chemicals has helped reduce the concentration of ozone-damaging substances, which has made a significant contribution to mitigating climate change.
The ozone layer has recovered at a rate of 1-3 percent since 2000 and is expected to fully heal in some regions by 2030, and in others by 2050 and 2060. Actions to achieve this, within the framework of the Montreal Protocol, represents a great opportunity to reduce global warming.
The different instances that address the issue of climate arise by evaluating and proposing new actions to combat climate change. One of the most recent initiatives is the plan agreed at the World Climate Summit in Egypt (COP27), held in November 2022, which includes 25 new actions to lower the prices of clean technologies, rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CO2 and boost food security for billions of people.
At this summit, it was also discussed that for global warming to stay at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) by the end of the century, the world economy must be decarbonized by 2050, which means only greenhouse gases need to be emitted. greenhouse effect that can be absorbed naturally or artificially. Among the actions, the construction of at least 50 large-scale industrial plants with net zero emissions, some 100 hydrogen valleys and large cross-border electrical interconnection projects are contemplated.
On the other hand, at the Davos Forum in 2020, the manifesto for sustainability and inclusive economy was launched, which recognizes that “the purpose of companies is to collaborate with all their stakeholders in the creation of shared and sustained value”. The ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) metrics were also brought to light at the Davos Forum.
Being sustainable is profitable.
Talking about ESG is no longer talking about ecological issues, image or the more traditional concept of CSR. ESG criteria refer to environmental, social and corporate governance factors that are taken into account when investing in a company. In recent years they have become the benchmark for socially responsible investment.
Being sustainable is profitable in the short term because it helps reduce costs and in the medium term it will generate growth opportunities.
Fighting climate change is part of a global sustainability strategy, and I am sure that with creativity and technologies that make a difference, it is possible to continue mitigating climate change.
Technologies
One promising area is renewable energy. Wind turbines and solar panels are becoming increasingly efficient, and their cost is falling rapidly. In many areas, they are already cheaper than traditional fossil fuels, and their price will likely continue to decrease in the coming years. These clean energy sources provide a reliable and sustainable alternative to the fossil fuels that have long been the backbone of our energy infrastructure.
Renewable energy has experienced significant growth in recent years, with both wind and solar power seeing exponential increases in capacity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy sources accounted for 72% of new power capacity additions in 2019. In addition, the cost of renewable energy has fallen dramatically. The cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has dropped by 82% over the past decade, while the cost of wind energy has fallen by 39%. According to the IEA’s Renewable Energy Market Update, renewable energy is now the most cost-competitive form of new power generation in most parts of the world. This cost reduction has made renewable energy increasingly attractive to investors and has helped to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
Another technology that holds promise for fighting climate change is carbon capture and storage (CCS). This technology allows us to capture the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants and other industrial processes and store it underground, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. This can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and can also help to make the use of fossil fuels more sustainable.
A third technology that can help to fight climate change is electric vehicles. These vehicles run on electricity and emit far less greenhouse gases than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. The rise of EVs is already leading to a reduction in the use of oil and gas, and the trend is expected to continue as the cost of EVs continues to fall and the charging infrastructure improves.
In addition to these technologies, there are also new innovations in building design that can help to reduce our impact on the environment. For example, “green buildings” use energy-efficient technologies and materials to reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building. They also use renewable energy sources such as solar panels, and they are designed to reduce water usage and waste.
Another way to fight climate change is to reduce waste. Landfills are one of the largest sources of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing waste can help to reduce the amount of methane released into the atmosphere. New technologies such as composting, recycling, and waste-to-energy systems can help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Finally, new technologies can also help to improve the way we manage our natural resources. For example, precision agriculture can help farmers to use water and other resources more efficiently, reducing the amount of waste and conserving resources for future generations. Other technologies, such as remote sensing and geospatial data analysis, can help us to better understand the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems and take action to protect them.
In conclusion, new technologies offer hope for fighting climate change and mitigating its impacts. From renewable energy to carbon capture and storage, and from electric vehicles to green building design, there are many ways in which we can use technology to reduce our impact on the environment and help to create a more sustainable future for all. However, it is important to remember that technology alone is not enough. We must also take action to reduce our carbon footprint, adopt more sustainable lifestyles, and advocate for policies that promote the use of clean energy and other technologies that help to mitigate the effects of climate change.
At AgroAmerica we have adopted the regenerative business model. This model has recently emerged in response to environmental challenges. The vision is to help transform supply chains to ensure future resource availability, placing nature and people at the center of business practices. NetZero is our goal.
You can read here about the actions we have taken, and the technologies implemented to mitigate climate change and comply with international sustainability standards, in accordance with ESG metrics.