The environment is under constant assault from natural disasters, human activities and even climate change. To safeguard against these perils, it’s essential to have comprehensive plans in place for how businesses will respond if calamities occur or if regulations are enacted that may impede their operations.
What’s required are effective strategies for managing the health of our ecosystems, from cleaning up polluted sites to safeguarding wildlife habitats – all while keeping business operations running smoothly.
A number of corporations today are taking a proactive approach toward protecting their respective environments through creating strategic environmental management plans (EMP). These initiatives proactively seek ways to minimize damage caused by any potential hazards as well as minimize any resultant costs associated with them; this ultimately results in more sustainable practices being implemented within the company itself.
A day after our initial conversation, I met up with Kelli Moran, presiden of the Environmental Management Master’s Program at Northeastern University.
Her experience was a fitting springboard for us to discuss Master’s Degree Programs in Environmental Management. It is no secret that obtaining a degree in this field has become extremely popular over the past few decades; yet its growth remains steady, suggesting there could be greater demand for specialized personnel in these fields.
1. The European Union’s Emissions Trading System
The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the world’s largest mandatory emissions trading market and a prime example of an environmentally effective management plan. Through its impact on industry, the EU has effectively incentivized emission cuts – helping to ensure that businesses in Europe adopt sustainability practices as well as create jobs.
The EU ETS was enacted in 2005 with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. It works by creating a cap on allowable industrial emissions based upon what scientists believe would be most effective in its mitigation. Companies that exceed such limits face penalties – otherwise known as ‘carbon credits’ – which are then sold off or used for advancement towards future carbon reduction goals.
2. The Climate Leadership Council in the United States
The Climate Leadership Council (CLC) was created by business, government and civic leaders in 2015. Its goal is to facilitate action towards environmental sustainability; this includes developing a framework that can be adopted across industries.
As someone who has just landed on the scene, it’s understandable why you might feel unmoored – without a clear idea of where to begin or what actions will expedite your journey towards becoming more eco-friendly. Fortunately, one does not need to be an experienced manager or executive to create an effective plan for reducing emissions.
If you’ve ever been in charge of overseeing company operations or personnel management, creating an environment management plan could prove beneficial – after all, no two enterprises are alike!
3. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change
India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change was created in 2015 to devise strategies for the country and its people in order to mitigate the effects of global warming.
Under this plan, India has committed itself to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by an impressive thirty percent by 2030 – an ambitious goal which will require much effort! However, these efforts are necessary; for without them we may not be able to stave off climate change. In order to achieve their goal, it is imperative that all sectors within the country make progress at a rapid pace if we are to avoid any risks whatsoever.
4. China’s Climate Change Action Plan
On December 25th, 2015, China issued its National Climate Change Action Plan (CNCCAP) to mitigate the damaging effects of climate change and promote a more sustainable society.
The ramifications of unchecked climate change are unsettling; it is estimated that in order to curb future affects on the planet, approximately 85% cuts must be made. In order to achieve this goal without sacrificing jobs or economic growth, we must all take action! To this end, China’s central government has established a number of goals for itself leading up until 2030; among them being halving carbon emissions levels and tripling green energy production by that time-frame.
