Climate change can contribute to pandemics
Even though we are in the midst of a global pandemic that has taken its toll on the economy and lead to social unrest, sustainability still needs to be a priority. Research has shown that climate change can contribute to pandemics by, for example, causing rises in temperature which then spreads infectious diseases like malaria and yellow fever. In the next 10 years, warmer temperatures will increase the risk of physical and economic threats, which means that it is now more important than ever to find out what climate change means to you as a company.

It is no longer a question of when your company should put sustainability on the agenda, but a question of how to do it. As a company, you have to, amongst other things, review your production, its effects on the environment and your products. You will increase your future resistance if you tackle climate change now.

Sustainable transition is a necessity
Nowadays, new players in the market are born with a sustainability-gene. It can be a longer process at established companies, because they are used to doing things in a certain way, which can make it hard to readjust and use capital and time on rebuilding a more sustainable business.

However, the green transition is a necessity for companies, because while the pandemic has caused unreasonable losses and costs, it has also made us act and think differently. We have become better at buying locally, we have more time for those closest to us and we spend more time in nature. An increase in local production and sales has increased our awareness of the environment and more and more people are aware of their consumption. This increases the importance of a brand being sustainable and that brands commit themselves to sustainability – both now and in the future.

Companies that do not have a clear or meaningful purpose will struggle to attract employees and customers, and a meaningful purpose is closely linked to sustainability.

In the foreseeable future, companies will have to be accountable for more than the product’s quality, availability and price, as a lot of consumers make demands on where, how and who produce the product and how recyclable it is.

Research has shown that consumers think companies bear the biggest reasonability in products being environmentally and socially responsible. A shift in the way companies think is therefore needed, in order for them to have a strong foothold in the market and survive long-term. Sustainability has to become part of the company’s DNA. It is not about doing something good for society – it is a commercial necessity.

Brave leadership as the engine
Sustainability is not only a relevant subject for consumers – it is also about the long-term vitality of companies. Currently, the whole world is working on preserving lives, living conditions and the economy. However, investing in the climate could not only help with the post-pandemic recovery, but also create meaningful jobs in the short term and increase the economic and environmental resilience in the long term.

Brave leadership is needed like never before to ensure that your company gets through the pandemic unscathed – and that is across all industries. As a leader, you have to lead the way and use your creativity, drive and influence to steer your brand and company in a sustainable direction. You need to have a comprehensive and complete understanding of how you contribute to climate change, since risks and threats like decreasing demand often become the focus instead of investments in innovation and CO2-reduction. Climate change has already had socioeconomic effects in some areas, and that affects our vitality, supply chains and natural capital since they depend on a stabile climate – which we do not have.

We have to deal with climate change now – together. You and your company need to lead the way. Sustainability is the core of COVID-19 recovery, because if we do something now, we will become more resilient in the future.

1. Start by putting sustainability at the top of the agenda

2. Create a more meaningful purpose for your company

3. Get sustainability into the core of your company’s DNA

4. Review your product and its effect on the environment

5. Focus on recyclability

6. Focus on innovation and CO2-reduction

7. Leaders have to lead the way – lead by example

Read the column here (in Danish): https://erhvervplus.dk/artikel/bæredygtighed-skal-være-kernen-i-covid-19-helbredelsen

Martin Brems

Tlf: +45 60 25 75 72.
Mail: [email protected]