ust like there is no one way to solve the climate crisis, becoming a sustainability-driven company requires a multi-pronged approach to carbon mitigation and emissions reduction. Here are six essential truths every business should remember as they walk their sustainability journey. A phrase that is spoken often in data-driven sustainability circles is “what gets measured, gets managed.” In the world of corporate carbon accounting, this truism should not be underestimated.
Typically, companies take a 1-2-3 punch approach to their decarbonization efforts. First they pursue quick-win energy efficiency measures such as installing LED bulbs and smart lighting systems in areas where usage is sporadic. This is what Bob’s Red Mill, the whole grain manufacturer and a client of mine, tackled first at their Milwaukie, Oregon manufacturing plant.
More than ever, we are seeing meaningful decarbonization solutions at scale. Meta, the social media and technology conglomerate, announced it had achievedstatus across its global operations in 2020 mainly through equipping its data centers and offices with 100% renewable energy systems: solar panels, microgrids, and back-up battery energy storage.) to make its last-mile deliveries across North America and Europe, with plans to expand its EV fleet to 100,000 by 2030.