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Our Declaration of a Climate Emergency

This is an emergency. We are at a critical moment in human history and we stand on the brink of a climate and ecological disaster. As business leaders we must act now to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. This will require radical changes to the way we all live, work and consume resources. Businesses must take their responsibility to accelerate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the science. Read the IPCC report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C

“Climate Emergency” is the acknowledgement that urgent and fundamental change is needed to mitigate the extent to which global warming causes irreversible change to the Earth and all life on it. Ecological Breakdown describes a situation where an ecosystem suffers drastic reduction and extinction of species and organisms. This is usually precipitated by disastrous events happening in a short timescale.

Science Research Explainer: Carbon Storage in Secondary Forest
A still from an animation for an environmental researcher about carbon storage in secondary forest and the current global temperature trend.

Top 10 climate facts

  1. We are on track to reach a global temperature rise of 3 degrees by the end of the century.
  2. We need to reduce carbon emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and become net zero by 2050 to meet the 1.5ºC scenario of the Paris Agreement. 
  3. Wildlife populations have declined an average of 60% since 1970. 
  4. Only 7% of reefs in The Great Barrier Reef have escaped bleaching entirely. 
  5. We’re on course to lose over half of all insects by the end of the century. 
  6. Over the past 2 decades, sea levels have risen by 3.2mm per annum and three quarters of all large cities are located on the coast (UN).
  7. The past six years – from 2014 -2019 – were the warmest years ever recorded in the 140 years that NOAA has tracked global heat. If current trends continue, the Arctic could be entirely ice-free by 2040 (Arctic Council).
  8. With the current rate of soil degradation, we have 60 years of farming left. 
  9. Climate change will drive the migration of 200 million people worldwide by 2050. 
  10. Climate change could have an impact on a greater range of diseases since approximately 63% of pathogens are climate sensitive. 

What does declaring a climate emergency mean?

Declaring a climate emergency means committing to tell the truth about the reality of the climate breakdown and making a meaningful commitment to address this breakdown, by taking action to radically and urgently reduce carbon emissions.

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Friday sketch: Don’t keep calm and carry on. We are in a state of climate emergency and ecological breakdown. Scientists, politicians and even the financial industry are saying the survival of the human species (and many other species) is at threat if we carry on releasing green house gases and destroying and polluting the natural world at our current unsustainable rate. There are many solutions and ways we can mitigate against catastrophic climate change. From clean energy, circular economies and alternative modes of transport to greening cities, rewilding areas and regenerative agriculture. But to bring these about it needs collective will power and for politicians and business leaders to act. In the UK a climate emergency was declared and some targets were set for 2050. This is not enough, we need emergency responses now. Friday sketches are a personal challenge I set myself to create at least one piece of personal artwork each week. #fridaysketch #drawing #illustration #climate #climateemergency #climatecrisis #ecologicalbreakdown #extinctionrebellion #fridaysforfuture #actnow #artwork #art #activistart #protestart #graffiti

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What are we committing to?

  1. To develop a ‘Climate Emergency Plan.’ within 6 months.
  2. Sharing this declaration publicly and report your ‘Climate Emergency Plan’progress annually.
  3. Accelerate our current climate action trajectory. Ensure the ‘Climate Emergency Plan’ represents an acceleration of our current trajectory and actions are 1) in line with what is needed to reach net zero timescale between 2025-2050 and 2) keeps the planet within 1.5 degrees
  4. Set interim targets. Design realistic milestones which allow for business reconfiguration with appropriate interim targets if net zero is beyond 2030.
  5. Share best practices. Connect and engage with peers.
  6. Advocate for change. Encourage our team, suppliers, clients, community plus local and national authorities to take action.
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What have we already done?

We are part of the East Midland's De-carbonise Network (formerly Low Carbon Business Network) and in 2019 developed a business strategy with positive environmental action at the heart of it.
We are part of the East Midland’s De-carbonise Network (formerly Low Carbon Business Network) and in 2019 developed a business strategy with positive environmental action at the heart of it.

Our Climate Emergency Plan: April 2020

  • As of April 2020 we are in the process of switching to Triodos business banking. This is to ensure our finances do not fund environmentally harmful industries.
  • Continue the Green Mark programme and conduct another environmental audit in June 2020 and set bolder targets to reduce our green house gas emissions.
  • Develop a plan to switch home office heating energy from gas to a low carbon option. Explore this with the landlords of the city office too.
  • Develop a plan for using low carbon digital services.
  • Ensure any future electrical devices purchased are manufactured to the highest ethical and environmental standards or use second hand equipment when possible.
  • Be an advocate for action on the climate emergency in both our business community and creative community.
  • Continue to donate our visual communication time and skills to environmental organisations and campaign groups.
  • Continue to use our social media platforms to support the climate science and advocate for urgent action.
  • Decline work with organisations who are contributing to the climate emergency and not actively changing their environmental practices.
  • Update our environmental policy to reflect these actions.
  • To publish an annual update on our climate action plan (due April 2021).
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Climate Emergency Plan Progress Report: April 2021

  • Set up a Triodos business bank account to receive all client payments. We are still in the process of closing our previous business bank account.
  • Completed the Green Mark programme for 2020.
  • Continued to commute to work by cycling or walking (when not working at home!).
  • Continued the flight-free pledge.
  • Continued to follow a plant-based diet and buy locally from independent shops as much as possible.
  • Written to local politicians and the local authority staff on climate, biodiversity and air quality issues in Derby.
  • Still developing a plan to switch home office heating energy from gas to a low carbon option. Explore this with the landlords of the city office too.
  • Still developing a plan for using low carbon digital services. Our website is hosted by 34SP who power their Manchester servers on 100% renewable energy.
  • Updated our environmental policy.
  • Used our social media platforms and zoom meet ups to advocate for action on the climate emergency in both our business community and creative community.
  • Continued to donate our visual communication time and skills to environmental organisations and campaign groups.
  • Continued to use our social media platforms to support the climate science and advocate for urgent action.
  • Declined work with organisations who are contributing to the climate emergency and not actively changing their environmental practices.
  • Continued to work with academics to communicate their environmental science research findings.
  • Updated our environmental policy.
Illustration for Extinction Rebellion's newspaper, The Hourglass.
Illustration for Extinction Rebellion’s newspaper, The Hourglass.

We need an economy that preserves the natural and social systems upon which life and thriving markets depend

One of the primary drivers of the climate emergency, and the greatest impediment to meaningful climate action, is the system failure that centers our economy on maximising profits at the expense of people and the natural world. This leads to short-term decisions that externalise environmental and social costs, creating massive systemic risk and social unrest, and undermining healthy markets.

As business leaders we have a vital role to play in calling this system flaw into question at every opportunity, starting first with embedding broader stakeholders interests into their own corporate operating system. As we systematically — company by company, industry by industry, market by market — remove impediments and align incentives, we can accelerate meaningful climate action and move toward a new economic system that requires corporations, and the investors who own them, to operate with a first principle to preserve the natural and social systems upon which life and thriving markets depend. The Doughnut Economic model illustrates how this can be achieved . Amsterdam City has adopted this model.

Meet the doughnut: the new economic model that could help end inequality
Meet the doughnut: the new economic model that could help end inequality

Building a just transition

The shift toward a net-zero world will bring economy-wide transformation on a scale we’ve never seen. This transition will impact all industries, jobs and communities. While we know this is necessary for a clean energy future, how can we ensure it is fair, respects the rights of all people and builds a more inclusive economy?

With the right planning, dialogue and processes, this shift will create robust communities and industries, spurring new job growth, diversifying educational opportunities and transforming livelihoods. A just transition makes this possible by engaging workers. It ensures no one is left behind in this movement and that all communities have the skills, investments, and capabilities they need to thrive in the face of rapid change.

Learn more about how to plan a just transition in this report ‘Just Transition: A Business Guide’. 

How to declare a climate emergency and develop an action plan

Thank you to Business Declares for their support and information in helping our business declare and begin an action plan. If you also want your business to declare a climate emergency, then contact the Business Climate Emergency Network on info@businessdeclares.com.

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