In today’s business world, the practice of good ethics is as important as ever. The global issue of climate change is continuously increasing as a result the world needs help from large multinationals to minimize pollution and create more sustainable production means. Mars, the company responsible for the creation of M&M’s, Twix, and Skittles, has taken a stand by promising to reduce their carbon footprint. The company announced they will be investing $1B in helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions in their value chain along with other poverty reduction and sustainability programs. This bold move is a prime example of how corporations around the world have started to make the decision to be more “green”. Not only are they helping the planet but they have done it in a manner which is expected to drive business. Chief executive of Mars Grant F. Reid explains that, “We expect to have a competitive advantage from a more resource efficient supply chain, and from ensuring that everyone in oursupply chain is doing well.”
Mars is one company that has taken the initiative to accept responsibility for their own effect on environmental wellbeing. Unfortunately, it is going to take a lot more participation if the world wants to reach the seventeen goals set out by the United Nations for sustainable development. Another company that has invested heavily in reducing carbon emissions is Siemens. CEO, Eric Spiegel, explain that the company plans to spend nearly $110 million to lower emissions. In turn, Spiegel expects that, the investment will eventually pay off through savings of $20 million to $30 million annually and pay for itself within approx. six years. With this investment Siemens plans to cut carbon emissions in half by 2020, and become carbon neutral by 2030.
Major technology company Dell, is yet another group that been making investments in using information technology to reduce energy consumption in its facilities. Dell has found a way to use 90% less water and 40% less energy to produce their new packaging. Beyond this, they have started a new program to take scraps of carbon fiber and use them in new computer models. Dell’s vice chairman of operations Jeff Clark, has identified that in addition to saving money, a benefit to going green is attraction from millennials entering the work force as these practices are very important to them.
While corporations can have enormously detrimental effects on the environment, they also have the financial and physical means to drastically improve the world’s sustainability. The world needs participation from all if we are to make the change required for a better tomorrow
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