COP26 and 21 carbon cutting initiatives for businesses in Greater Manchester
COP26 is the United Nation鈥檚 26th annual summit aimed to address climate change. So, why is this year鈥檚 COP creating so much noise? What will make it a success? And, perhaps most importantly, where are the local carbon cutting initiatives that can help you cut your business鈥� carbon emissions.
You may be wondering why COP26 in Glasgow feels weightier compared to previous years in Madrid & Katowice. Here are 4 reasons:
1) NDC resets: Every 5 years, countries are expected to reset their NDC鈥檚 (Nationally Determined Contributions). Like environmental KPI鈥檚, NDCs are targets set to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The last time this happened, in 2015, the famous Paris Agreement (in COP21) was signed. For the first time since then, countries not on track will be pressured to make more ambitious goals.
2) 鈥淐ode Red for Humanity鈥�: COP26 follows the AR6 IPCC report, which, for the first time, gave 鈥渦nequivocal鈥� evidence that humans are contributing to the warming climate.
3) Crazy Weather: Recent extreme weather in developed countries, such as Canada鈥檚 heatwave that killed an estimated 570 people, has piled pressure on G20鈥檚 leaders.
4) UK in the Spotlight: COP26 is the largest summit the UK has ever hosted.
The 4 P鈥檚 to a successful COP26:
- Progress updates: for the first time since 2015, countries will be legally required to share their NDC progress with full transparency.
- Pledges: new policy commitments to climate change mitigation, adaption & reporting. For example, world leaders promised to end deforestation by 2030 earlier in the week.
- Political collaboration: in order to halve global emissions by 2030, developed countries (e.g. G20), developing countries (e.g. G77 plus China) and vulnerable countries (e.g. V20) must find a way to fairly divide the responsibility of past and future carbon emissions.
- Positive multi-stakeholder partnerships: the number of passionate stakeholders at COP26 will be as vast as it is varied, presenting a unique opportunity for collaboration.
Greater Manchester Carbon Cutting Initiatives
It can be frustrating hearing all of this talk knowing CO2 emissions are still at record highs and increasing. So, if you鈥檙e feeling the same as the Queen 鈥� 鈥渋rritated鈥� when political leaders 鈥渢alk but don鈥檛 do鈥� - here are some carbon cutting initiatives within Greater Manchester (GM) that you and your business CAN do as you follow COP26:
Join Free Collaborative Networks
- 鈥� collaborate with other businesses and organisations in Manchester to help the city achieve net zero.
- - follow 10 Key Steps to achieve your net zero goal.
- 鈥� commit against climate change to access various tools and resources.
Apply for fully funded Carbon Innovation opportunities:听
- - If you鈥檙e an SME in Greater Manchester looking to develop your business then take advantage of this expert support.
- - help future proof your business as North West Eco-I academics tailor low carbon business solutions to your business.
- 鈥� help your businesses understand how effective your products and services are in lowering your consumers鈥� carbon footprint and reducing energy bills.
Study full funded Carbon Reduction Educational Courses:
- Become a Carbon Literate organisation (CLO) with
- On a roll on/roll off basis, study the NCFE Level 2: Cert in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness 鈥� fully funded by 大发六合彩票鈥檚 Skills for Growth program.
- Learn the basics with the Open University: 鈥� 3 hours beginner course.
Volunteer as an Organisation:
- 鈥� volunteer with your employees to increase biodiversity in GM by tree planting, woodland management, orchard creation and more in GM.
Switch to renewable energy solutions:
- - Cutting your business' costs, consumption and carbon
- 鈥� access 24/7 Carbon Free Electricity.
- 鈥� access renewable energy and a North West network
- 鈥� gain energy saving and renewable energy solutions.
- - visit a Net Zero Hub to understand what actions your business can take.
Install and view EV (elective vehicles) charging points across GM:
- 鈥� gain charging point solutions for your business
- 鈥� access an EV charging infrastructure appointed by TfGM.
- 鈥� help your colleagues locate and navigate journeys with Zap-Map鈥檚 UK-wide map of charging points.
Set up an EV salary sacrifice
- 鈥� on the topic of EVs, your business can consider an EV Salary Sacrifice. Think of a 鈥淐ycle to Work鈥� scheme but for EVs.
Change to a low carbon company pension:
- 鈥� invest in a company ESG pension scheme to ensure your savings aren鈥檛 invested in fossil fuels
Offset your remaining carbon:
- 鈥� subscribe to Manchester鈥檚 own Play it Green to: offset your remaining carbon with their tree planting partner Eden Reforestation Projects, receive weekly sustainability & carbon reduction tips and choose a good cause to donate 10% of your subscription to.
Lastly, certify your carbon reduction efforts:
- 鈥� measure, engage and communicate your business鈥� Net Zero efforts with a sustainability certification.
大发六合彩票 is committed to helping businesses reach their sustainability goals by offering guidance and facilitating multi-sector collaboration. If this is something you鈥檙e interested in, please call 0161 393 4321or email benefits@gmchamber.co.uk