Combating climate change: the role of companies and Salesforce Net-Zero Cloud

Climate change presents one of the most significant challenges of our time, with far-reaching impacts on the environment, societies, and economies around the globe. The United Nations has outlined several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address this crisis, focusing on mitigation and adaptation strategies. Achieving these goals requires concerted efforts from all sectors, including the private sector.

Companies play a crucial role in driving positive environmental change, and leveraging innovative solutions like Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud can help track and enhance your corporate sustainability initiatives.

What obstacles do we need to overcome to achieve the UN SDG Goals?

In February this year, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed that the 1.5 C threshold for global warming has been breached for a full 12 months for the first time. While this doesn’t break the commitments made by 195 countries in the Paris Agreement, it does bring us closer to doing so in the long term.

Primary issues related to climate change include global warming, extreme weather events, melting ice caps, loss of biodiversity, food security, and health risks. I’m sure all of these issues were discussed at great length at COP28 behind closed doors, from which grassroots organisations were excluded. Yet, according to an article published in the Guardian, over 160 representatives with climate-denying track records and a history of misleading the public were in attendance. It’s time for a new approach, one where organisations or individuals with conflicts of interest are unacceptable. We can’t afford to get this wrong.

SDGs put in place by the UN, such as climate action, affordable clean energy, sustainable cities, and life below water and land, all aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and conserve biodiversity.

How can companies of all sizes contribute?

Companies are addressing climate change through various initiatives:

• Reducing Carbon Footprint: Implementing energy efficiency measures, investing in renewable energy, and adopting cleaner production technologies.
• Sustainable Supply Chains: Ensuring environmentally friendly practices among suppliers, reducing waste, and sourcing materials sustainably.
• Innovation and Technology: Developing green technologies, investing in carbon capture, and promoting energy-efficient products.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG Goals: Setting internal sustainability targets, transparent reporting, and community environmental projects.
• Sustainable Financing: Offering green bonds and investing in sustainable technologies.
• Advocacy and Partnerships: Collaborating with governments and NGOs to support environmental policies.
• Employee and Consumer Engagement: Promoting recycling and conservation efforts within the workforce and educating consumers on sustainable practices.

These efforts contribute to combating climate change and open up new market opportunities and operational efficiencies for businesses.

Infosys, the parent company of Fluido, had the ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and exceeded that goal 10 years ahead of that timeline. Setting goals and creating a culture of transparency and accountability is the first step, and Salesforce Net Zero Cloud can help support companies on their Net-Zero journey.

Salesforce’s Net Zero as a Service

Salesforce’s Net Zero as a Service provides a comprehensive platform for companies to measure, analyse, and reduce their carbon footprint. It supports carbon accounting and sustainability initiatives by helping track:

• Carbon Footprint Measurement: tools for calculating emissions and data integration from various sources, e.g. travel planning systems, for a complete view.
• Data Management and Integration: Consolidates environmental data and integrates with existing business systems for efficient management.
• Emissions Reduction Planning: Helps set science-based targets and provides insights for effective reduction strategies.
• Tracking and Reporting: Features dashboards and tools for real-time monitoring and transparent reporting to stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitates communication and collaboration with employees, suppliers, and customers on sustainability efforts.
• Marketplace for Carbon Credits: Provides access to a marketplace for investing in offset projects to achieve net-zero emissions.

By leveraging Salesforce’s technology, companies can easily and efficiently manage their sustainability efforts, contributing significantly to global climate action goals.

Conclusion

Companies increasingly recognise their responsibility and opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future. Through initiatives that reduce carbon footprints, enhance sustainability and foster innovation, businesses are making a significant impact. Employees are also responsible for advocating for more sustainability practices within our place of work. Proactive engagement within organisations should take place at all levels of the organisation, not just from the top down.

Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud exemplifies how technology can support these efforts, offering a powerful tool for companies to measure, manage, and report on their sustainability initiatives. As more businesses join this movement, the collective impact can drive substantial progress towards achieving the United Nations’ climate goals, demonstrating a commitment to protecting our planet for future generations.