Action to protect our environment is an investment in our future. To make the transition to net zero, SMEs need to be able to finance green investments. How do we map out our collective journey to meet our climate objectives?
Category: Environment
Quel futur pour les PME ?
Depuis maintenant plus de 2 ans, les PME ont été confrontées à une succession de dispositions sanitaires et de mesures de fermeture totale ou partielle et d’injonctions administratives de toutes sortes qui ont fragilisé leur survie. L’invasion de l’Ukraine qui en découlent notamment en matière économique, apportent leur lot d’inquiétudes additionnelles.
Are our buildings costing the earth? Protecting our pockets and the planet
Rents and repayments alone are not the only expense attached to our buildings. Many are leaking energy, leaving a hole in our pockets as well as climate ambitions. And it’s high time to fix them.
Unlocking water security in Africa: Mayors hold the key
With mounting pressures on water resources from climate, urbanisation and demographic trends in Africa, more partnerships between national and local leaders are needed. Mayors in particular now need to turn the key to unlock the development of better water policies for better lives.
Keeping food on the table: cities for sustainable food systems
By 2050, up to 55% of the world population will be living in urban areas, consuming 80% of the world’s food. Already around a third of produced food goes to waste at a value of USD 940 billion annually.
Climate action needs local leaders: can they rise to the challenge?
Local leaders will need to mobilise their communities to tackle the very different challenges they will face and seize new opportunities in making the transition to net zero, as set out in the 2021 OECD Regional Outlook. In doing so, they can bring together solutions to generate important local well-being benefits.
What can we learn about the circular economy from social entrepreneurs?
Every year the city of Brussels imports over 60 000 tons of wood, when the wood could be sourced from the Sonian Forest just outside the city. Instead, most of the wood sourced from the forest is exported to Asia to be processed and sent back as finished products. The Sonian Wood Coop was launched in 2019 to change this dynamic.
No Net Zero without SMEs
Greening can clearly save costs: improving energy efficiency in SMEs can Iead to cost savings by reducing their energy demand by 10- 30%. Beyond such cost benefits, improved energy efficiency can strengthen small-business resilience by reducing exposure to energy-price volatility and uncertainty, and improve product quality and safety.