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As our calendars shift from 2023 to 2024 and we face a new year full of possibilities and opportunities, the persistent threat of climate change remains a sobering reality that we carry with us year after year. Corporations find themselves at the forefront of implementing meaningful change that can help make significant strides toward creating a healthier planet. The ever-increasing urgency of the climate crisis calls to question whether organizations should reevaluate their current sustainability commitments, and perhaps recognize the need for more immediate, impactful action.
In a surprising move this past November, Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher announced to the world that the company would be scaling back its sustainability goals, coming as a surprise to many. The consumer giant has long been a pioneer for environmental stewardship, setting the standard for other organizations and businesses to follow.
But, despite the recent downshift, Unilever may be more of an exemplary model for corporate sustainability than ever before.
Schumacher outlined how Unilever has been spread thin by “too many long-term commitments that failed to make sufficient short-term impact,” and stated how their new vision focuses less on aspirational climate commitments and more on immediate initiatives to make a stronger impact in the near future.
Long-Term Vs. Short-Term Goals
Whether through regulatory pressures, increased awareness of environmental issues or consumer preferences, the past decade has seen companies from all over the world adopt more green-forward initiatives that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. However, many did so by setting their sights on the distant future, aiming for ambitious goals set in 2030, 2040 or even 2050.
While these aspirations illustrate a solid commitment to climate action, many organizations don’t have a clear, credible road map for implementation. In turn, there is a disconnect between aspirations and tangible results. In the absence of any real material impact for the company or its stakeholders, there have been waves of backlash and, in some cases, a phenomenon known as “greenhushing”—in which organizations downplay their environmental initiatives to avoid potential criticism.
It’s important, and undeniably positive, that companies have come around to committing to their own respective sustainability journeys. But we’ve reached the point where companies should explore ways to meaningfully shift from distant sustainability goals to more immediate and impactful initiatives.
By prioritizing short-term goals with clear, measurable outcomes, organizations can help acknowledge the urgency of the environmental crisis and deliver on the need for tangible progress within a shorter time frame.
How To Make An Impact Now
Energy efficiency projects are a notably effective strategy for achieving short-term goals, as they can yield immediate results after their implementation. For example, about 30% of the energy each one of us uses for heating can be saved through energy efficiency, and this can be achieved through the technology we have today.
Infrastructure upgrades can also strategically reduce energy usage, allowing companies to not only contribute to their environmental objectives but also realize significant cost savings. Lowered energy costs, in turn, free up funds for reinvestment in additional sustainability initiatives or other key areas within the organization.
My company’s project with Schaeffler Aerospace Canada, for example, shows how an energy-efficient infrastructure can reduce consumption and have a measurable impact on the bottom line and the goal of decarbonization. By installing new high-efficiency HVAC equipment, the site is seeing significant electrical and natural gas use reductions, along with more than 103 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced.
But planning for sustainable energy infrastructure is far from a one-size-fits-all process. It can be done in a variety of ways based on an organization’s goals, preferences, values and geographic location. By adopting sustainability as a core tenet of your organization and evaluating areas for energy and emissions improvement within your current operational structure, you can set objectives that are SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Often, sustainability goals are driven by top-level priorities such as energy cost savings, energy security and resiliency and decarbonization. By homing in on prioritized areas, organizations can form a road map toward a meaningful sustainability impact, both in the short and long term.
Reaching net-zero emissions in 2050 will be imperative in preserving a sustainable future for generations to come. But change needs to happen today to make the progress necessary to achieve that goal. It’s time for a reimagined approach that underscores the importance of steering away from vague, long-term commitments, and embracing tangible actions that can make a positive change for organizations is what our planet needs in 2024.
The coolest sustainability goal for 2024 isn’t about committing to distant aspirations. It’s about taking decisive action today and executing projects that offer immediate economic and environmental impact.
# Originally published on Forbes.com via Forbes Technology Council. #
This free resource provides a tangible roadmap for organizations looking to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve net zero emissions. The built environment is responsible for roughly 40% of energy-related carbon emissions. This resource offers a holistic approach to cutting consumption, costs, and carbon and practical solutions for facility owners and operators.
