COP27 is a waste of time. We need action, and businesses must lead the charge

Russ Avery • Nov 07, 2022

And so begins the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference. As COP27 kicks off in Sharm El Sheikh, let's remind ourselves of the bigger picture...

First of all, don't worry; I don't think COP27 is a complete waste of time, but let's remember the key facts:

- 1.5ºC has gone, and with it the credibility of the COP process

- 26 COPs have been and gone, and emissions are still rising - not decreasing, not even plateauing, but rising

- Climate policy remains way off target

While the COPs have made some positive difference - such as getting countries on the same page regarding the climate crisis, and helping raise global awareness of the situation - there's no argument to be had for how they have failed massively from an emissions reduction perspective, as the graph below clearly demonstrates.

Our duplicitous governments have lied their way out of taking the urgent and radical action we have needed for years.

I believe businesses can - and must - step up and lead the charge. A better world is possible. You're either contributing to the climate crisis, or helping to prevent it. Which side of history will you be on?

Please take a couple of minutes to watch the video below, which is my impassioned plea to all business leaders. I have also pasted the full transcript of the video below, to make it even more accessible.

FULL VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Is COP27 a waste of time? Based on the impact of the previous 26, yes, it probably is.

Today, almost exactly three-and-a-half thousand kilometres away in that direction, world leaders are gathering in Egypt for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The global scientific consensus is that we need to rapidly drive down CO2 emissions, but, as this graph shows, the previous 26 COPs have not helped achieve that goal. Emissions aren’t reducing or even plateauing… they’re still increasing.

While this is depressing, the positive side is that the global spotlight is once again being shone on the climate emergency and associated ecological collapse.

Awareness of the growing climate crisis is finally becoming mainstream, and we clearly cannot rely on governments and world leaders to take the urgent action we so desperately need.

So, this is an impassioned plea to all business leaders out there: are you ready to step up, and be part of the rapidly growing sustainable and regenerative business movement? Because that would be a show of true climate leadership.

Businesses have a huge amount of collective power and we can position ourselves at the vanguard of a new green economy. By turning sustainability into a competitive advantage, we’ll be making our businesses more resilient in the face of our rapidly changing world. We’ll be able to attract top talent who want to work for purpose-driven companies like ours. And remember: purpose and profit are not mutually exclusive - far from it.

If you’re in the UK, a quick action you can take today is to support The Better Business Act by visiting betterbusinessact.org. Join Avery & Brown and over one thousand five hundred other companies who have chosen to be part of the coalition for a cleaner, greener, fairer future for all.

For more tips and ideas on how to use your business as a force for good, visit averyandbrown.com where you can download a free copy of our Regenerative Business Mind Map.

We don’t need any more climate change conferences. We need action. So, against the backdrop of COP27, let’s work together to turn things around and create the world we want to live in.

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