Penguin Perspectives Blog

To help inspire change in your organisation, and stay ahead of the competition, we’ve helpfully rounded-up some of 2020’s leading climate pledges from across the UK, Ireland and further afield.

A year ago, at the launch of COP26's Private Finance Agenda, David Attenborough called on the finance sector to take the lead on climate action and nature protection. He has since laid out the shocking reduction in wilderness between the 1930s to today in his 2020 Netflix documentary. In parallel, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the link between biodiversity and financial risk ever more clear.

The pandemic has triggered a dramatic e-commerce boom as consumers avoid physical retail locations in favor of online shopping. The World Economic Forum estimates that COVID-19 may have accelerated the shift to e-commerce by five years.

A strong recovery from the global pandemic will hinge on reliable energy access, something that most of us in developed countries take for granted. Achieving universal energy access by 2030, as called for by Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), will require significant investment. The IEA estimates USD 45 billion needs to be disbursed each year between 2020 and 2030 if we’re to achieve SDG7 targets.

Environmental Finance spoke with Patrick Horka, our Head of Renewable Energy Solutions, about how the ‘big moment’ in renewable energy has arrived much faster than expected

Nature-based solutions are here and private money is moving – which is good news for everyone: latest research shows that the global economy is better off with more nature protected.

Corporate investments into clean energy are rising. But isn’t relying on 100% green energy a risky business for companies? A new scheme launched by the Vietnamese government can offer businesses a smart way to power their operations with clean energy – while hedging against risk and ensuring long-term affordable electricity.

Despite the impacts of COVID-19, climate action in Asia is accelerating rapidly. Some of the largest emitters in the region have set Net Zero targets and businesses are following suit. This is a welcome trend given Asia’s growing number of big multinationals – and the fact that it is home to the supply chains of various global brands. How is the region responding to the climate challenge and what can we expect from 2021?

Farming – it accounts for 10% of our annual GHG emissions and can have severe long-term implications for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and food security. Regenerative agriculture can turn over a new leaf by redesigning the farming system to work together with nature. By purchasing carbon credits from certified regenerative agriculture projects, organisations can address their carbon footprint and provide alternative income streams to farmers implementing soil-enhancing agricultural techniques.

Despite COVID-19, corporate climate action in Australia and globally continues apace and, in some cases, is even accelerating. We've rounded up 2020's key commitments to inspire your business to take the next step on your climate journey in 2021.