Breaking down CII’s Climate Action Charter report: Part 1
The CII Climate Action Charter report outlines the core objectives and principles of the Climate Action Charter (CCAC), a vision of the CII CESD focused on driving corporate climate action. Let’s take a look at the insights gained from this report through a two part blog series.
The CCAC aims to provide businesses with a platform to access climate change information and knowledge, enabling them to assess risks and develop resilient action plans aligned with national and global climate policies, particularly the goals set by the Paris Climate Accord to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The CCAC is guided by four core principles: reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), facilitating value chain transitions, building resilience, and mobilizing green finance to support businesses in their climate transition efforts. The summary introduces a pilot project undertaken by CCAC in collaboration with the CII Tamil Nadu chapter, focusing on two industrial clusters in Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore and Tirupur.
The pilot project comprised three phases:
Sensitization Session — Phase I: Raising awareness among MSMEs in the clusters about climate change and its impacts.
CII Toolkit Introduction and Data Collection — Phase II: Introducing the CII toolkit and collecting data to assess the current awareness and preparedness of MSMEs towards state-established climate targets.
Analysis & Reporting — Phase III: Analyzing the collected data and presenting insights from the study.
Beyond Sustainability, a carbon management company, acted as the implementation partner for the pilot project, overseeing all three phases. The report resulting from this project offers insights into the study’s findings and data analysis from the Coimbatore and Tirupur clusters. Additionally, the report provides a roadmap and action plan as recommendations to support these clusters in transitioning to climate-friendly practices.
The knowledge gained from this pilot project will inform future initiatives of CII CESD through the CCAC. The goal is to establish a network of like-minded businesses and MSMEs, creating a robust support value chain that promotes collaboration towards climate action goals. This network will facilitate the sharing of best practices within relevant sectors, fostering a collective approach to addressing climate risks and challenges.
Why MSMEs Matter
MSMEs and startups are the backbone of any economy, contributing significantly to employment and innovation. Recognizing the potential for these enterprises to grow into larger, successful firms over time, CII CESD has been actively engaging with them. The rationale behind this focus is clear: by helping established MSMEs transition into sustainable businesses, we can collectively reduce emissions, enhance the environment, and boost the economy. It’s the principle of the butterfly effect applied to the business world — small changes in numerous business units can culminate in a substantial impact.
The Three-Phase Study
CII CESD embarked on a comprehensive three-phase study aimed at making a tangible difference in the sustainability landscape of Tamil Nadu. Let’s delve into each phase:
Phase I: Sensitization Session
The first phase was all about raising awareness among interested MSMEs. In Coimbatore and Tirupur, two prominent industrial clusters in Tamil Nadu, business owners gathered to gain a deeper understanding of CCAC’s initiatives and the critical importance of sustainability in their operations. They were enlightened about the potential risks that businesses could face if their action plans failed to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This crucial sensitization set the stage for a more sustainable business future.
Phase II: CII Toolkit Introduction & Data Collection
In the second phase, interested companies were given the opportunity to become signatories of the CCAC. This step introduced them to a valuable tool provided by CII CESD designed to aid in data collection and measurement of their environmental impact. The tool, in the form of a comprehensive questionnaire, focuses on gathering pivotal data that assesses the organization’s size, inherent risks, and preparedness to combat climate change. Armed with this information, businesses could begin to track and measure their emissions and overall sustainability performance.
Phase III: Analysis & Reporting
The final phase of this initiative has brought us to the report you’re reading now. This report goes beyond data collection; it aims to create awareness, identify potential risks specific to the region, and suggest mitigation opportunities. The analysis is conducted in alignment with the guidelines provided by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). As a result, the report provides valuable insights into the risks associated with climate change and, more importantly, recommendations to mitigate these risks.
By empowering these businesses with knowledge and tools, we pave the way for more environmentally conscious practices, reduced emissions, and ultimately, a brighter and more resilient economic landscape.
As we move forward, it’s essential for more organizations and regions to follow this path of sustainable development. The lessons learned from this initiative will serve as a foundation for future endeavors, as CII CESD continues to work through the CCAC to create a network of businesses dedicated to climate action. Together, we can build a robust support system that encourages the sharing of best practices, accelerates the adoption of sustainable measures, and fosters a collective commitment to addressing climate risks. In this way, we can ensure a better future for both businesses and our planet.
Are you a business looking to transform your supply chain and projects to make them sustainable and regenerative? Take your first step with Beyond Sustainability and our tool that assesses the carbon footprint and ESG risks involved.
Credits:
“https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranoti-abhyankar-70911b1b5/”
“https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaishnavi-selvaraj-93a668259/ ”
