Climate change – would we really be powerless

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 05. 03. 07:49

Domestic medium and large companies are aware of the importance of sustainability requirements, but in the difficult economic situation they postpone taking action. Their motivation is primarily limited to cost reduction, but this also indirectly results in a reduction of the environmental burden – it is clear from the research that forms the basis of the K&H sustainability index. “Everyone at their own level can do a lot to slow down and stop climate change,” says Suba Levente, head of the K&H Group’s sustainability program.

There are dozens of ways for a company’s management to reduce its environmental footprint. K&H’s sustainability index asked the management of medium-sized and large domestic companies about how they relate to the issue of sustainability as part of a comprehensive survey. According to Suba Levente, head of the K&H Group’s sustainability program, companies understandably focus primarily on reducing their costs in an unfavorable economic environment – but this also indirectly reduces their environmental impact.

Nearly 60 percent of companies have already implemented selective waste collection, and another 32 percent are planning to do so. Environmentally friendly management of hazardous waste falls somewhat short of this. A 40-40 percent reduction in paper use has already been implemented or is planned in the near future. A similar distribution is shown by reducing energy consumption and increasing its efficiency due to the spread of energy costs. This is true – albeit in decreasing proportions – for the thermal insulation of buildings, the introduction of hybrid or electric cars, or even the use of water. However, only 3 percent of companies can afford to buy so-called “green” energy, i.e. energy from certified renewable sources, which is also more expensive, and only another 4 percent are considering it. At the same time, 89 percent of company managers agree with the importance of renewable energy sources, but according to the vast majority of them, their use is now hindered by the unfavorable economic situation.

In addition to cost savings, companies will primarily be forced by the rules to carry out their activities with less carbon dioxide emissions. The European Union has set itself the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and has created strict rules for this purpose. Today, domestic companies perceive the path to climate neutrality more as a difficulty than an opportunity.