This blog shows why companies need to use PR to show transparency to their consumers and how Wales is leading the UK in climate change.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) will be held in Glasgow in November. The conference provides the UK with the perfect opportunity to show their dedication towards achieving net-zero (balance between production and removal of carbon admissions). The UK has demonstrated that it is committed to reaching the 2050 goal of net-zero, requiring fundamental change and development in new technologies, particularly carbon capture storage (CCS).
The Government urges businesses to implement sustainability across aspects of their company, not only to avoid PR issues but to reduce our carbon emissions. For example, the consumer tech industry in 2019 alone produced 53.6 million tonnes of electronic waste with less than 20% recycled. Company consumer transparency is vital, we need to trust that our businesses are showing the truth. It was recently revealed that Amazon was dumping around 130,000 products a week that were never sold or returned to landfills. Reckless pollution like this needs to be stopped. Therefore, it is important for those working in public relations and communications to demonstrate to the consumer what the company is doing sustainably and what their corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach is, from decision making to the supply chain. This benefits both the consumer, the company's image and environmental impact.
One country in the UK seems to be forefronting the Government drive to reduce carbon admissions across all sectors - Wales. The leading environmental activist Greta Thunberg has praised the Welsh Government on Twitter for its decision to freeze all new road projects to reach its 2050 target of net-zero emissions. As it stands, this target can only be reached by 2090, showing the drastic need for change. Leading scientists have stated that if we don’t reduce our carbon emissions by 1.5% before 2050 then sea levels will rise amongst other travesties.
What would this mean for Wales? Well, the predicted rise in sea levels caused by global warming would submerge the east coast cities of Cardiff and Newport along with many others, Cardiff being the 6th most at risk in the world.
The bold decision to freeze all new road projects has sent shockwaves around the UK with many calling for this policy to be implemented in other areas. The money saved from this will go to improving existing roads and creating new bus and cycle lanes.
The Welsh Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Walters stated that “we need a shift away from spending money on projects that encourage more people to drive and spend more money on maintaining our roads and investing in real alternatives that give people a meaningful choice.” The minister explains how the Welsh Government will invest in sustainable transport with the UK dedicating £2.4 billion for transport decarbonisation.
Incredible leadership from the Welsh Government, leading the way for change in the UK.