UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK

BA BUSINESS STUDIES

Module: Building a Sustainable Organisation

Title: Individual Report

Student ID:

Date: 30th May 2022

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Contents
1.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………….… 3

2.0 Problems caused by climate change to globalisation …………………………….. 4

2.1 Changing Weather Patterns ………………………………………………………. 4

2.2 Changing Demand for Goods …………………………………………………….. 4

2.3 Obligations under Foreign Regulations …………………………………………... 4

2.4 Increased Public Pressure ……………………………………………………….… 4-5

3.0 Steps businesses can implement to reduce their carbon footprint ………………... 5

3.1 Use Sustainable Suppliers ………………………………………………………… 5

3.2 Use Public Transport or Car Share for Business Trips …………………………… 5-6

3.3 Reduce, reuse, and recycle ……………………………………………………….. 6

4.0 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………... 7

5.0 References ………………………………………………………………………… 8

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1.0 Introduction

Climate change is one of the major concerns of the 21st century, and it will need global measures
to address it. For years, climate change has been included in global market research and risk
assessments. However, it has not gotten the recognition it deserves, given the enormity of the
danger it presents (Abdul Aziz et al., 2018).

This research aims to examine how climate change may affect companies throughout the globe
by citing relevant cases. To help firms lower their carbon impact, the research will provide
recommendations.

On May 27, 2021, Harvard's Belfer Center hosted the Environmental Issues, Intelligence, and
Global Security symposium to explore the climate threat and develop new ideas on how the
Intelligence Community (IC) might help tackle it. The seminar, organised by Paul Kolbe,
Director of the Intelligence Project, Kristin Wood, Non-Resident Associate of the Intelligence
Project, and Erin Sikorsky, Deputy Director of the Center for Climate and Security, provided an
important opportunity for fruitful discussion on the climate crisis (Seroka-Stolka, 2016).

Climate change directly impacts seemingly inconsequential concerns and exacerbates present
globalisation difficulties, which the public and the government must be aware of. Climate
change's immediate effects include melting ice, rising sea levels, polar ice caps warming,
extreme weather events, more significant solar radiation, protracted wildfires and intense
thunderstorms, and deadly tornadic activity (Eltayeb et al., 2011). This has disastrous
consequences for people and businesses, such as agricultural failures, fishery problems, and
water shortages. Mass forced displacement in company operations results from large migrations
and displacements. As a consequence of conflict over scarce resources, there is a risk that
organisations may be able to thrive due to the effects of climate change. For instance, every
aspect of international security is affected by climate change. Following are some of the possible
consequences of climate change on global business (Striani, 2020).

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2.0 Problems caused by climate change to globalisation

2.1 Changing Weather Patterns: According to the SEC's 2010 study, rising temperatures all
around the globe may be predicted to shift as a result of climate change. Many other agencies,
including the United Nations, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and
the American Meteorological Society, have reaffirmed that fact. The severity of thunderstorms is
projected to increase, posing several problems for enterprises. They might have far-reaching
consequences for insurance businesses. The dangers of maritime trade might increase.
Agricultural areas with a long history of production might be devastated. Residents and
infrastructure along the coastline are at risk of recurrent damage (Eltayeb et al., 2011).

2.2 Changing Demand for Goods: Alterations in market interest for specific items are caused
by fluctuating pricing and shifting precipitation and temperature patterns. There may be less of a
want for things related to cold conditions, such as ski gear and cooking gas. On the other hand,
environmentally conscious businesses benefit from the emergence of new business prospects.
Patagonia, Seventh Generation, and Dr Bronner are just a few examples of successful businesses
that have achieved greatness by providing to customers that are ecologically concerned when
they make purchasing decisions (Striani, 2020).

2.3 Obligations under Foreign Regulations: Large publicly traded companies typically have
operations in their home country and other countries. Because of this, they are subject to the
provisions of a diverse array of global warming standards and policies. This is true regardless of
whether or not individual nations, such as the UK, have adopted such legislation. For example, in
2017, the United States withdrew from the Paris Pact on global warming; yet, this agreement is
still being upheld by more than 200 other countries. As a potential successor to the Kyoto Treaty,
which ended in 2012, some people consider implementing a worldwide emissions trading
scheme. When they do business in other countries, American firms are bound by the
legislation of other countries (Abdul Aziz et al., 2018).

2.4 Increased Public Pressure: As the general populace accepts global warming as a reality, it
becomes less tolerant of corporations that do not endeavour to lessen their environmental
footprint. More and more people are looking for environmentally friendly items that are also
more affordable than their more conventional counterparts. Nowadays, businesses are

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encouraged to be socially responsible and make efforts to make their activities more eco friendly
or give to a conservation charity. To fulfil public outcry due to rising public pressure due
to climate change, prominent corporations, including IKEA, Swiss RE, Apple, and Nestle, have
pledged to use only sustainable power. In contrast, others like Beyond Petroleum (BP), Shell,
and others are greenwashing (Abdul Aziz et al., 2018).

3.0 Steps businesses can implement to reduce their carbon footprint

3.1 Use Sustainable Suppliers: Sustainable vendors are as important as ensuring that companies
do their share to safeguard the environment. To put it another way, it is possible that even when a
consumer is doing all they can to reduce environmental consequences, they are still supporting
firms that do nothing to safeguard the environment (FutureLearn, 2021). 

The ISO 14001 standard is helpful to check for when vetting potential vendors. Verification of
an organization's commitment to resource optimization and waste control by demonstrating that
sustainable design is central to its Quality Management Systems. Businesses should employ only
CarbonNeutral® certified vendors wherever feasible and be aware of those that do not place their
sustainability goals at the centre of their CSR activities (FutureLearn, 2021). 

3.2 Use Public Transport or Car Share for Business Trips: Public transportation is a different
approach for businesses to minimise greenhouse gas emissions while attending business trips or
conferences, especially when just one person is travelling to these journeys or activities. Below is
a graph from World in Data that illustrates the typical environmental impact of a passenger per
kilometre while travelling by various modes of transport (Dovey, 2022). 

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 (Dovey, 2022)

A single passenger automobile travelling in a moderate gasoline engine has a 192g/km carbon
output. This is 42g greater than a long-haul economy flight's per-passenger greenhouse gases.
Buses and trains are more ecologically friendly than cars, and Carpooling is another good
alternative. As seen above, two people in a gasoline automobile emit less pollution per passenger
than bus travel (Dovey, 2022). 

3.3 Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Using sustainable procurement as a learning tool may help
motivate workers to minimise their usage of resources like water, stationery, catering services,
computers, phones, and packaging in their daily lives. These products have an ecological
footprint connected with their production and transportation (Green Element, 2018). 

Businesses can reduce their carbon impact by purchasing recyclable materials or reconditioned
computers and phones. Following the GHG Protocol, less carbon dioxide is emitted when the
paper is made from virgin fibres rather than recycling. If a company relies on a long logistics
system, it is especially critical that sustainability be integrated into every step of the process
(Green Element, 2018). 

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4.0 Conclusion

Globalisation trade and business operations have to rethink its consumers: officials, whom it
briefs in confidence, and the general population. Global institutions like IC may successfully
democratise climate change information by releasing evaluations to the public, allowing the
public to hold representatives accountable for their acts or refrain from acting based on shared
information. Businesses are concerned about their brand, and many are trying to build an image
for environmental stewardship these days. In addition to decreased energy costs and a more
favourable image among the organisation's directors, decarbonisation may have additional
positive effects. Firms may minimise their co2 emissions and even reach carbon neutrality via
various methods, as shown in the study. 

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5.0 References

Abdul Aziz, N., et al., (2018). Green Initiatives Adoption and Environmental Performance of
Public Listed Companies in Malaysia. Sustainability, 10(6), p.2003. doi:10.3390/su10062003.

Dovey, A. (2022). 10 Ways To Reduce Carbon Footprint in Your Business. [online] Professional
Energy Services. Available at: https://www.professionalenergy.co.uk/reduce-carbon-footprint-in-
your-business/ [Accessed 23 May 2022].

Eltayeb, T.K., et al., (2011). Green supply chain initiatives among certified companies in
Malaysia and environmental sustainability: Investigating the outcomes. Resources, Conservation
and Recycling, 55(5), pp.495–506. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.09.003.

FutureLearn (2021). How to reduce your carbon footprint – 20 top tips. [online] FutureLearn.
Available at: https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-tips.

Green Element (2018). 10 ways to reduce your business carbon footprint. [online] Green
Element. Available at: https://www.greenelement.co.uk/blog/reduce-business-carbon-footprint/.

Seroka-Stolka, O. (2016). Green Initiatives in Environmental Management of Logistics

Companies. Transportation Research Procedia, 16, pp.483–489. doi:10.1016/j.trpro.2016.11.045.

Striani, F. (2020). Green and Blue Economy. International Journal of Environmental

Sustainability and Green Technologies, 11(2), pp.16–33. doi:10.4018/ijesgt.2020070102.