Sponsored by Business in the Community NI
In 2020, the World Economic Forum identified that six of the ten major global risks for the next decade are environmental. The severity of environmental risks is set to increase over the same time period, with biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse ranked as one of the top five threats that humanity will face.
Business relies on healthy and balanced ecosystems for normal operations. If the balance is tipped, supply chains and vital infrastructure could be disrupted, the value of real estate assets in affected areas could plummet, the cost of insurance could skyrocket, staff wellbeing and physical security could be affected. So, is the topic of nature being given the place is deserves on boardroom agendas?
Business in the Community’s (BITC) annual NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey Report, released in November, showed that companies are starting to understand the importance of biodiversity, with 40% having a strategic plan in place to support biodiversity but, worryingly, a quarter of the 132 business respondents don’t have biodiversity on their radar at all.
The Survey also showed that climate risk is a concern for NI businesses, with 89% of respondents identifying major business risks related to climate change. 62% have already been affected by extreme weather in the last five years, including storms, flooding and disrupted supply chains, and there is a recognition that adaption is needed to mitigate the impacts brought by climate change-related risks.
Aside from providing an annual snapshot into environmental action in NI and allowing us to see trends over time, the Survey enables organisations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to the environment and transparency. The process and results allow organisations to examine, reflect, compare and drive improvements, and profiling the work of organisations who top the scoreboard – such as those placing in the top 40 – can inspire others into action.
Aligning with Government
In its November 2024 response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s Draft Programme for Government (PfG), BITC underscored the significance of integrating environmental sustainability into economic growth strategies, to support the Executive’s mission to achieve a “globally competitive and sustainable economy”.
For over 30 years, BITC has understood that a prosperous business and economy is reliant on stable ecosystems and a healthy planet and has been at the forefront of guiding businesses towards effective climate action and environmental stewardship.
Businesses will be sustainable and successful in the future are those that are prioritising decarbonisation, embracing sustainable practices, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to a resilient, low-carbon economy right now.
Campaigning for Business Action on Climate
BITC’s collaborative climate campaign Business Action on Climate puts Northern Ireland businesses at the forefront of action on the climate emergency.
More than 100 organisations have already signed the Climate Action Pledge, which challenges and supports businesses to set, report on, and achieve ambitious GHG reduction targets. Signatories are from a range of sectors and are demonstrating environmental leadership and a willingness to work with businesses of all sizes to tackle the climate crisis, collaboratively.
BITC’s 2024 Climate Action Pledge Report showed that, across the board, signatories have already reduced GHG emissions by 29% since baseline year, but there’s a disparity across sectors.
Manufacturing – the biggest emitter overall – has managed to reduce its emissions by 44.5%, highlighting that real change can happen with commitment and investment.
However, the General Services sector showed an increase in emissions, demonstrating that different industries have different challenges, and they’ll need creative and collaborative solutions – working closely with supply chains and customers – to start to reverse the upwards trend in emissions.
At the forefront of efforts to address scope 3 emissions from business supply chains - which can be more challenging to estimate, track and address - is BITC’s Climate Action Programme. This helps SMEs reduce their CO2 emissions, plan for decarbonisation, and increase levels of reporting: enabling delivery of immediate and long-term climate action that aligns with global climate targets, and helping the businesses they work with to measure and meet their own targets.
BITC and its members are committed to ensuring that economic development does not come at the expense of environmental health, but rather, progresses in harmony with it.
Change through collaboration
Through comprehensive environmental programmes, collaborative efforts, BITC can support businesses to take meaningful action that creates a just, resilient and prosperous Northern Ireland.
By prioritising decarbonisation and sustainable practices, businesses will: contribute to a resilient, low-carbon economy; reduce operational risks; stay ahead of evolving legislation; and enhance their brand reputation. BITC provides guidance on environment, climate, and biodiversity, including bespoke advisory and benchmarking services, gap analysis recommendations, climate training and advisory workshops, and accredited Carbon Literacy Training.
Visit www.bitcni.org.uk/environment or email environment@bitcni.org.uk for more information on how BITC can support your organisation.
NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey | Featured Top 40 Performers
