A celebrity tree-planting challenge, new stimulus for a green economy, and pledges big and small were part of the global celebrations for World Environment Day (WED), held internationally on 5 June each year.
Started by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in 1972, WED is one of the UN's main channels to raise awareness about the environment, and encourage activities around its conservation.
In line with this year's theme, “Forests: Nature at your service”, UNEP goodwill ambassadors supermodel Gisele B"undchen and actor Don Cheadle took part in an online tree-planting face-off. B"undchen pledged to plant a tree for every project registered in her name on the WED Web site, while Cheadle committed to two trees for every project.
India was the host country for WED celebrations this year, and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra and Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, as well as Chinese actress Li Bingbing and entrepreneur Wang Shi, also pledged to plant trees for every WED activity registered in their name. Keep track of who's in the lead at UNEP's WED challenge.
Activities ranged from donations of trees to schools in Cape Town, to week-long educational initiatives in Cameroon. To see a map of activities, see WED around the world.
The UN also released a report on forests' role in transitioning towards a green economy, with India's minister for environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh, in New Delhi.
It reveals that investing an additional $40 billion in the forestry sector each year could halve deforestation, create millions of new jobs, and help tackle the devastating effects of climate change.
UNEP executive director Achim Steiner said forestry is one of the key sectors capable of helping the world transition to a “green economy” model that is resource-efficient and low in its use of carbon.
Locally, the day served as a springboard for a longer-term focus, as June is national environment month in SA. Speaking yesterday at Golden Gate Highlands National Park, in the Free State, environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa called on all South Africans to “Save tomorrow, today”, highlighting the collective responsibility to conserve the environment and make meaningful lifestyle changes.
“Like many other countries of the world, the number one threat to SA's long-term sustainable development, economic growth and quality of life are related to the impacts of climate change,” said Molewa.
“Climate change is already a reality,” she added, noting its early impacts can be seen in declining agricultural production, higher food prices and food insecurity.
According to Molewa, the recently adopted New Growth Path offers the opportunity to build new green economic sectors, create jobs, and develop international economic competitiveness.
The department notes that Environment Month also comes at a time when SA is preparing to host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The event will take place in Durban in December, and see world leaders negotiate key elements of international climate policy.
Business on board
As energy use and sustainability begin to have a greater influence on corporate governance, businesses are also renewing their efforts, says Hugh Tyrrell, director of Green Edge Consulting.
“Many of the JSE-listed companies that now have to include sustainability in their integrated annual reports are certainly making strides.”
He adds that Eskom's price hikes and electricity supply uncertainties make compelling reasons for businesses to invest in their own renewable energy generation and introduce conservation measures.
“Photovoltaic solar energy panels are sprouting on the roofs of many more business and commercial centres than we have seen before. The resistance that internal greening champions may have been met with before in company boardrooms is dwindling as solid business cases can be made for implementing practices that are environmentally preferable and financially sensible.”
Tim James, director at sustainableIT, says focusing on environmental performance is becoming increasingly important for technology companies in two key areas.
“In the first instance, the production and use of technology has an increasingly growing carbon footprint, so focusing on energy and carbon reduction is critical if we are to meet the targets required by science to prevent runaway global warming and resultant climate change.
“Secondly, procurement processes are increasingly targeting the environmental performance of prospective suppliers. Understanding one's carbon footprint and developing a strategy towards carbon neutrality will become increasingly important to maintain competitive-edge.”
According to research firm Forrester, sustainability initiatives - including green computing - are emerging as the next driver of business innovation and growth for many companies. This is due to growing regulatory and customer pressures, the need to enhance their brands, and competitive differentiation. The firm predicts the sustainability consulting services market alone will reach $9.6 billion by 2015.
Tyrrell notes that as sustainability gains traction among multinationals and more sustainability officers are appointed, so their supply chain companies will have to wake up and get their houses in order in terms of greening. “More and more green procurement guidelines and criteria are being put out by big firms that require their suppliers to get up to speed, environmentally.”
“Now more than ever, CIOs will only respond and commit to those solution providers that can link tangible cost benefits with the solutions they provide,” says Nick York, director of the CIO Summit Apac 2011, organised by business-to business events company GDS International.
One local logistics company is already heeding this call. To coincide with WED, Imperial Cargo switched its operations to solar power at its new Paarl-based headquarters and opened a self-sufficient water treatment plant.
“The headquarters, which comprise an office building for 120 employees, a 2 000 m^2 warehouse, wash bay and workshop with nine bays, harness natural power, light and ventilation,” says Abrie de Swardt, Imperial Logistics marketing director.
According to the company, the solar power system will generate and deliver in excess of 30 461KWh annually.
“Renewable energy has significant potential that is not yet being effectively harnessed in supply chains,” says De Swardt. “Use of solar power in SA can essentially provide energy for free, post payback period. In buildings, motion sensors are able to automatically switch off lights and air conditioners in empty offices.
“Future generations will be impacted by the business decisions we take today.”
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