This article series looked at the urgent need to integrate climate management into current and future business models and how to harness its full potential for increased corporate success. 

To repeat the why of incorporating climate management: our current production patterns interrupt the metabolic cycle of Earth's system. Thus, we collectively face the challenge of a human-induced climate change with tremendous effects on the planet’s natural ecosystems - the source of wealth and health for society & businesses. We must adapt our business models to respect nature’s limits, ensure a resilient, healthy economy, and prevent significant production losses because of non-action. We claim that climate competence is a must-have leadership skill for our current & future generations. Anything else would mean to keep acting from old, outdated patterns and being resistant to necessary change. 

Politicians and companies are reacting, but how can we move from ambition & promises to making a real difference? 

Key points about how to make a difference 

Fact: To close the gap between climate pledges and real climate action, we must transform ‘conventional’ business models into climate-smart business models. To do this successfully, we need to…

• become aware of the urgency & the consequences of non-action (on a global, regional, corporate and individual level)

• understand our power as individuals & as a collective 

• become aware of the company’s social & environmental impact across the business ecosystem, and the opportunities that climate management provides

• redefine value & anchor climate thinking into overall corporate strategy (incl. metrics for corporate success and OKRs)   

• align all fields of action according to the SDG implementation framework

• select KPIs, such as carbon, and start measuring 

• assess best science-based climate strategy with short- & long-term targets 

• assess best work systems, and start implementing them

• involve the entire team and ensure accountability (climate leadership)

• reevaluate, celebrate successes and communicate (internally & externally)  

Consequently, effective climate management starts with learning and awareness but needs practical tools and effective leadership structures to have an apparent effect. Thus, infusing climate thinking into an organisation requires a transformation that must be fully advocated by the board and consistently supported by the CEO and head leaders - visibly, vocally and through clear task delegation. Only if the leadership structures create coherence and the values are fully embodied, from the top management to the people, throughout the work systems and technologies used, the business entity can harvest the fruits of successful climate management: long-term resilience on a corporate and collective level. Otherwise, why would you assess & measure?       

AI-powered carbon management tools as an accelerator 

Considering the potency of carbon reduction in diverting the current trend of climate change, we learned that emissions management software is effective climate management. AI-powered carbon management tools provide:

• easy-to-use dashboards & high overall practicability 

• high measurement accuracy & real-time access 

• all-in-one features (measure, reduce, offset, certify, report)

• support in target setting & reduction planning 

• consistent accountability reminders 

Sofia Fominova, co-founder of Net0 and advocate for real climate action, points out:

“By integrating carbon accounting software into a company, the whole team is required to apply climate thinking into the usual business operations and act upon the agreed climate strategy. Thus, if well advised, a carbon management software can circumvent the usual project pitfalls and ensure success by being an effective work system itself.” 

Further, co-founder and AI-brain of Net0, Dmitry Aksenov, explains the importance that artificial intelligence plays in leveraging climate action:

“After all, the concept of AI-powered climate management solutions is based on the vision of having an off-the-shelf product that enables any company to measure and reduce their emissions effectively without additional support. Carbon management would then be automised to the highest degree possible. For now, the software provider still plays an important role in the onboarding process, advising the client on how to use the software. However, we need to recognise the necessity of creating large-scale impact fast enough, and AI enables us to accelerate climate action in a very user-friendly and effective way. The contact points (time spent for onboarding & the actual use of the software) are minor, and business owners can quickly focus on all other key business activities.”  

As UNESCO's Director for Partnerships and Operational Programme Monitoring, Communication and Information Sector and steering group member of AI for the Planet, Dr. Marielza Oliveria further emphasises in that context:

“Deployed in a human-centric, responsible and ethical way, AI is an accelerator for sustainable development.” 

Software as subconscious climate competence 

As much as a farmer considers the climate to have success with his crops, present and future managers need to develop climate management as a conscious competence to create climate-smart business models that are resilient and take future generations into account. Hopefully, our education sector will adapt accordingly so that young entrepreneurs develop and cultivate climate leadership, including the use of the technologies that are required for the transition towards a net zero economy. As AI will do most of the work anyways, we can almost talk about a subconscious climate competence that future leaders will bring to the table, steering their companies towards sustainable success by combining whole system thinking with intelligent tech tools.  

However, future change starts in the here and now. If we reflect on our fullest potential and the legacy we want to leave behind, are responsible leadership and climate-smart business models not what we all shall start developing? 

To get to know a practical tool that enables your company to incorporate climate management through an AI-powered platform, book a demo with Net0. We are eager to show you how to simplify your net zero journey and automate the process of making a real difference. Stay tuned & climate-smart with Net0.

‍Other articles in this series:

If you would like to expand your knowledge about the successful integration of climate management, please refer to our following content:

Previous articles: 
‍
• Are Net Zero Business Models The Future of Responsible Leadership?
• Redefining Value & Corporate Priorities For Successful Net Zero Climate Management
• Integrating Climate Thinking Into Corporate Strategy For Net Zero Business Models
• Considering Business Ecosystems For Effective & Profitable Climate Management
• Climate-Smart Work Systems For Net Zero Companies

This article is authored by Julia Ruff - Founder & Lead Trainer of JR | Regenerative Leadership, a consultancy agency & knowledge hub for Conscious Business & Leadership Development.