Recover better - UN-iting businesses for a better world

UN GLOBAL COMPACT

Taking action on climate change represents one of this century’s most defining topic. To recognize the transition to a zero-carbon economy is the only way to secure a sustainable future for all. Launched in 2000, by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN Global Compact was initiated to bring business and the United Nations together. When businesses unite, they are a powerful force for good by upholding universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour and the environment.

Although important progress has been made, the actions do not currently match the ambition and pace necessary to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020 shows that humanity is on an unsustainable path, with climate change occurring much faster than anticipated, accelerating ocean acidification, 1 million plant and animal species at risk of extinction, deepening inequality and persistent poverty, and unsustainable consumption and production patterns.

All stakeholders must unite to transform this collective aspiration into reality. The aim with the UN Global Compact is to uniting business for a better world. From that goal the initiative “Recover better” was born.

RECOVER BETTER

When celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Compact, an event themed “Recover Better, Recover Stronger, Recover Together” was arranged. It was a platform where leaders from business, civil society, Governments and the UN were challenged to reflect on the importance of collaboration and public-private partnerships. The goal was to increase their ambition to achieve the sustainable development goals.

The Recover Better statement was signed in June 2020 by approximately 150 different companies, including well-known brands as the H&M Group, Husqvarna Group, Inter IKEA Group and INDITEX, to just name a few. The core of the agreement is divided in three areas:

1. DEMONSTRATE THAT THE BEST DECISIONS AND ACTIONS ARE GROUNDED IN SCIENCE.
   By implementing ambitious science-based targets, we aim to set the world on a 1.5°C trajectory leading to healthier and safer people, and a healthier and safer planet.
2. INVEST IN RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE FOR A SYSTEMIC SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.
   By divesting from fossil fuels and innovating in low-carbon, resilient solutions, we are prioritizing green jobs and sustainable growth, protecting nature and people, and delivering on the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
3. WORK WITH GOVERNMENTS AND SCALE UP THE MOVEMENT.
   By advocating for enabling policies aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory and zero carbon economy, we look to policymakers to give businesses the confidence and clarity they need to take ambitious climate action.

HOW CAN THE LIGHTING INDUSTRY PARTICIPATE?

It is very visible in the Overshoot day-graphic, that us humans has for a long period of time consumed over our assets. And to be able to meet the needs of a growing population, we need to household with our resources more efficiently. This is a challenge for all industries and organisations, not only producing companies.

- Changing the current state for the climate, is not an individual task, says Niclas Thulin, Environmental Coordinator at Fagerhults Belysning. It is a joint effort, that we must do together. Set in the context of Covid -19, the reality has showed more than ever before how connected we humans are, and how our actions echoes worldwide. We are working very actively at Fagerhult to reduce our carbon footprint and are constantly seeking to develop our effort and our ways of working – to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Thulin continues:
- We have done lifecycle assessments on some of our luminaires, where we have analysed the environmental impact during our products lifetime. We have found that the biggest environmental impact occurs from when the luminaires are in use. This is why the choice of energy – renewable sources, coal or nuclear – makes a great difference in the carbon footprint. Another important issue which will affect the carbon footprint is the energy consumption during usage. It can be decreased very effectively with smart controls, such as sensors in our solutions. Together, these are both simple options, but also possibilities of making conscious choices which can contribute to decrease climate impact significantly.