The impact of climate change is more evident than before, and they’re becoming global headlines that cannot be ignored. Organizations and individuals are being called to make various changes. These shifts can also bring about critical trends in 2023. There are multiple predictions according to these changes. It could be about how people shop, how corporations do business, or upgrades on electric vehicles. But here are key trends that the current year could bring as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns become the focus of global leaders.
1. Supply Chains Becoming More Climate-Positive
Many companies aim to achieve net-zero sustainability by the year 2050. Net zero is the balance between the production of greenhouse gas and the amount removed from the atmosphere.
Among these efforts is to include environment-friendly design principles. These will partner with regulation and documentation around dependability and funneling in recycling components and raw materials in manufacturing. It means that recycling plastics and metals like silver coins you bought from sources like GainesvilleCoins.com can become a solution for the manufacturing industry to lessen environmental impact.
Zero is reached when the amount is within the amount taken away. It includes Scope 3 emissions coming from the larger value chain. The company itself doesn’t produce scope 3 emissions or indirect emissions. It consists of those made by the customers using their products and suppliers creating certain products that the business markets. Scope 3 emissions are the hardest to tackle, and they account for over 70% of the business, with greenhouse gas emissions being more.
Achieving net-zero emissions is only possible by considering factors outside of conventional businesses. Among the examples are farmers who are suppliers of these companies. They plant produce that the companies don’t use, but they capture carbon in the soil. It happens when plants photosynthesize to make their food. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere, thus creating oxygen needs. In turn, carbon is captured within the soil.
Many companies are now wondering if they could push further to make their supply chains minimize CO2, even beyond net zero. They also plan to make up for the CO2 that their businesses have created since the beginning.
2. Expansion Of Renewable Energy Sources
More people can use renewable energy through different renewable systems and technologies. They can create long-term solutions for the consumption of sustainable energy in 2023.
These solutions include using solar panels, wind turbines, portable solar water pumps, and switching to heat pumps. Homeowners and businesses cannot only experience a drop in their energy bills but also help reduce their environmental impact. The solution makes sense because energy costs continue to cause global uncertainties, so making the switch is the best move. For example, installing a heat pump and committing 10 to 15 years of utilizing it is better for the environment because it only uses as much as one-third of electricity compared with conventional electric heaters. That’s also less energy than oil or gas furnaces. A heat pump relies only on electricity which is why it doesn’t require gas or oil. It can also help reduce carbon emissions instantly by 80% and can cause a significant impact on climate change.
Many foresee that the costs between low carbon heating and the standard ones will be more comparable in 2023, albeit it’s the only difference between the two that may prompt homeowners to choose one.
3. The Need For Capital For Sustainability Improvements
Investment management and financial services clients continue to search for various solutions to sustainability issues. These include social equality and energy transition. According to Jessica Alsford, Chief Sustainability Officer and CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Investing, the company plans to work on various environmental and social projects with clients.
Clients want to know various measures that play a role in the sustainability and resiliency of the economy. These include enhancing renewable energy, sustainable transportation like electric vehicles, clean technology, and access to affordable housing. Among the most significant investment opportunities is the global economy’s potential shift. It’s also estimated that the yearly spending on physical assets would go beyond USD$9 trillion.
It’s predicted that renewable energy finance and green social bonds will increase. But to begin efforts toward a low-carbon global economy, there needs to be a collaboration among organizations, governments, corporations, and investors. They must collaborate to develop innovations in different parts of the economy to bring advanced technologies and sustainable business models. Among the innovations are financing structures to close capital gaps and form in-depth solutions.
Many more trends highlight the world’s rising interest in sustainability. Hence, ESG investing can also become popular as more people become aware of saving the environment, with many corporations also wanting to be more responsible with how they do businesses that can impact the environment.
Takeaway
Some key trends in green and sustainable investments are supply chains becoming more climate-positive, businesses needing more capital to develop and implement sustainable innovations, and the rise of renewable energy sources. The year 2023 could be when various changes from the public and private sectors that could help reduce the impact of climate change around the world can be seen.