This write-up looks at SDG13 one of three SDG’s (14 &15) which relates to the biosphere upon which other SDG’s dwell (see fig.1). It stresses the importance of taking action for the whole biosphere and how the actions taken impacts on society and the economy. The main focus of SDG13 is taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It is therefore important to understand how businesses can contribute to the climate agenda and the sustainable development goals.
The SDGs is an international call to action and constitute a positive change agenda to the way we act and do business to enable us to protect and improve the environment as well as develop in a sustainable way for the benefit of future generations. Globally, countries in different regions of the world face different types of climatic impacts from climate change. Current impacts include sea level rise, increased levels of extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts and floods. Climate change impacts on the agricultural sector for example, have shown considerably more negative impacts than positive (IPCC 2014). This is because climate change and agriculture are intrinsically tied together in that any change in climate affects agriculture positively or negatively. This is reflected where food prices increase following extreme weather events in food producing areas (IPCC 2014). SDG 13 (Climate Action) stresses the need for urgent actions to reduce CO2 emissions without which global temperatures will continue to rise and predicted to reach 6oc by the end of the century. It is unpredictable what this would mean for the environment in future but, the impacts will no doubt be devastating. Current impacts have caused severe challenges to:
- The viability of agriculture in some regions and negatively affecting food production (SD2)
- Challenges to good health and well being (SDG 3)
- Ability to sustain our cities and communities (SDG 11)and
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure development (SDG 9).
Businesses are not just contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, they also face extensive risks of climate consequences making it imperative for them to adjust their practices. Businesses of all types are dependent on the ecosystem for natural resources such as fresh water, food and fibre. These resources are used for making their products and by extension their services and supply chain. Therefore, businesses can negatively affect the balance of the ecosystem through unsustainable use of resources leading to depletion. However, businesses can also contribute positively to the ecosystem through sustainable use of resources by measuring, managing and mitigating their impacts. Doing this will entail businesses integrating sustainable business models into their plans and programmes. This will enable businesses to create environmental and social value through their operational practices, products and services that will also help others to contribute to the SDG’s.
Figure 1 shows the conceptual pathways described above. we can use SDG 13 (Climate Action) related to the biosphere to examine business responses and actions in relation to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). And, finally SDG 17 (Partnerships) – identify, support and promote businesses to engage and incorporate sustainable practices into their strategy and help them contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Benefits
- New market opportunities
- Increase profit
- Technological innovation
- Business collaboration and partnerships
- Reduced emissions and invariably reduced carbon footprint
