“The Paris UN Climate Conference represents a historic opportunity to put the world on course to meet the climate change challenge. The world needs a new model of growth that is safe, durable and beneficial to all. COP21 seeks to delivera clear pathway with short and long term milestones, and a system to help us measure and increase progress over time until we get the job done. The Paris Agreement is not only possible, it is necessary and urgent. We are counting on everyone’s contribution.”
-Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary UNFCCC
Recently, there has been a lot of media attention surrounding the conference that was held in Paris from November 30th to December 12th of this year. The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, being referred to as COP21, was a gathering of 195 countries with one purpose: To find a way to lower carbon emissions in an effort to limit global warming to 2 degree Celsius. The result of the conference was the Paris Agreement, a controversial document that attempted to be universal, taking into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of all countries involved.
Key Decisions:
1. Temperature Goals
It was decided that all countries should strive to limit their carbon emissions in an attempt to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. The long-term goal is to only emit what the natural resources of your country can absorb, through the use of things like forests that absorb greenhouse gases.
2. Revision
Every 5 years, updates will be made to the policy plans to keep them on track.
3. Carbon Reducing Projects
“The agreement establishes a “mechanism to contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development”, and paves the way for voluntary co-operation between countries in meeting their pollution goals.” (Fairfax Media)
4. Transparency
Governments in attendance agreed to a framework in which detailed records would be kept of what they buy and what they burn, in an attempt to provide transparency to their efforts. Developing countries were given lower requirements, and there aren’t any punitive regulations in place yet. “An agreement that required actually legally binding targets would have many countries unable to participate,” said Todd Stern, US Special Envoy for climate change.
5. Finance
Developed countries are encouraged to help developing countries financially, paying for policy implementation that would reduce pollution, as well as adapting to the effects of climate change, which are sometimes devastating.
So, what does this mean for your business? According to Harvard Business Review, “As Scarborough says, “Reducing emissions while still growing as a company is the defining business challenge of the 21st century… There’s a sense that COP21 will be – must be – the transformative moment the world needs.” As consumer’s preference for sustainable products provided by “green” businesses continues to develop and grow, the companies that respond with innovation will benefit greatly. It is important to see these changes as an opportunity.
Legacy Chiller Systems is taking this opportunity, joining the high-efficiency movement…
Is your firm looking to reduce emissions, participate in COP21 goals and saving money at the same time? Since 2007, Legacy Chiller Systems has been at the forefront of applying proven technologies to reduce operating costs and the carbon footprint of businesses. In Q1 2016, Legacy will introduce it’s Nexus line of process chillers, designed to reduce operating costs up to 50%. With potential payback (ROI) of less than ONE year (depending on your climate region) businesses now have the opportunity to participate in the bold objectives of COP21, while saving money.
Visit LegacyChillers.com, or call (877) 988-5464 to learn more about the Nexus line of process chillers!