A Future-Fit Business ensures that all energy consumed – as electricity, heat or fuel – is derived from renewable energy sources: solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, geothermal resources, and biomass.
Oil, coal and gas are often obtained in environmentally destructive ways, and their use as fuels leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, these resources are finite, and their value to society extends far beyond combustion.
To be Future-Fit, a company must ensure that all the energy it consumes – as electricity, heat or fuel – is derived from renewable energy sources. These include solar, wind, wave and hydropower, geothermal resources, and biomass.
A molecule of CO2 generated by burning fossil fuels will, in the course of its lifetime in the atmosphere, trap a hundred thousand times more heat than was released in producing it.
The planet's average surface temperature has risen about 1.1C since the late 19th century. Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record occurring since 2001. Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that year were the warmest on record for those respective months.
For example, between 60-80% of coal and gas reserves of publicly listed companies are 'unburnable' if we are to have a chance of not exceeding a 2C rise in global average temperatures.
Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Access for all to affordable, reliable, renewable and clean energy is essential for sustainable development.
Learn more about SDG 7The effects of climate change - from changing weather patterns and more extreme weather events to rising sea levels - are impacting all countries, disrupting national economies and affecting people's lives.
Learn more about SDG 13