Global businesses bear a significant responsibility, either directly or indirectly contributing to over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. This underscores their pivotal role in emission reduction efforts. The mounting pressure on companies worldwide to curb emissions is unsurprising, considering that emission levels are becoming crucial benchmarks in the emerging low-emission economy.
While Western companies actively set emission reduction goals in line with the Paris Agreement, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, many Polish companies lag in addressing carbon footprints, emission reduction strategies, and climate reporting. This delay poses a risk, particularly in the European Union market. The forthcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandates large companies in 2024 and certain SMEs in subsequent years to report on sustainability issues, emphasizing non-financial ESG reporting.
At the Climate Strategies Poland Foundation, we integrate our in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the realm of carbon footprint. Through our past participation and collaboration in various business environments, including global-scale consulting, we possess a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that Polish businesses encounter amid the green transformation. Our commitment extends to actively sharing practical conclusions and recommendations, facilitating improvements in their pursuit of a low-emission journey.
Taking our efforts to the next level, we’ve initiated groundbreaking activities that redefine corporate social responsibility. Our comprehensive and meticulously crafted publication, “Better Late Than Never – Reducing the Carbon Footprint and the Climate Competitiveness of Polish Companies,” dives deep into the understanding that climate competitiveness is not just about market success—it’s becoming a survival factor for many enterprises in the years to come. We’ve outlined four key areas crucial for a company’s climate competitiveness: 1) Electricity prices – affecting cost competitiveness, 2) Product carbon footprint in the supply chain – influencing the market competitiveness of products, 3)Readiness for “green financing” – defining competitiveness in accessing capital, 4) Climate innovation – involving the development and implementation of new solutions in products, processes, and business models tailored to a low-emission economy. In sync with this initiative, we’ve shared insights through articles, interviews, trade publications as well as webinars and training sessions. Our goal is to foster an open dialogue on this critical subject.
Various industries grapple with a common challenge amid climate change, although the nuanced solutions they require may vary. Our experts navigate this terrain adeptly and are eager to share their insights with managers and directors across different enterprises and industry associations. In the financial sector, the primary challenge is restructuring the development strategy to align with aspirations for neutrality. The key lies in acknowledging climate neutrality as a newfound responsibility for the financial industry. Disclosing information through CDP reporting holds numerous advantages, presenting a compelling business case for enhanced transparency and proactive measures within the financial sector concerning climate. We’re vocal advocates for this cause! Similar initiatives unfold in collaboration with the advertising industry, where we emphasize the advantages of reliable information and advocate a departure from greenwashing practices. Likewise, our efforts extend to the leasing sector, wielding a considerable influence on the transport landscape in Poland.
The carbon footprint is not just an ecological concern; it’s a significant business issue, intimately tied to companies’ financials, revenues, and contractual matters. This holds particularly true for export-oriented businesses. Recently, Western contractors collaborating with Polish entrepreneurs have been increasingly inquiring about the carbon footprint of products, seeking detailed and specific information. The central questions revolve around the impact of a company’s carbon footprint on its competitiveness, especially in comparison to European counterparts. Additionally, understanding how to calculate a company’s carbon footprint effectively is crucial. We curate and present reliable and up-to-date content, including articles, podcasts, reports and publications, focusing on companies’ pro-climate initiatives and the challenges they encounter in this realm.
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