Projects to fight climate change

Two of the members of the cluster, Knowledge, Innovation and Strategies Management Club (KISMC) and Euro-perspectives Foundation, implement projects directly resulting from the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Both projects are related to the role and positive impact that business, entrepreneurship and education can play in the fight against climate change and to preserve biodiversity.

Over the past 50 years, the world has been transformed by an explosion in global trade, consumption, population growth and mass urbanization.

This has come at a huge cost to nature and the stability of the ecosystems that sustain us. Climate change poses serious risks to ecosystems, human health and the economy. Data from the United Nations Environment Program as of 2019 show that over the past 40 years, the global availability of natural capital per person has declined by 40%, wildlife populations have declined by 60%, while manufactured capital has doubled, and human capital increased by 13%. Can these trends be reversed? The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to ensure the rightful place of nature in our lives, including our business activities. The strategy is an integral part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What are the two projects we are presenting?

The first project, in which KISMC is involved, is Collective Innovation to Fight Climate Change, a project financed by the Erasmus+ Program, which has set itself the task of developing a package of tools to help entrepreneurs to become agents of change in their business in terms of climate change. Through knowledge and skills for innovative thinking and application of open innovation in doing business in the field of the green economy, they would make a serious contribution to reducing the negative impact on the environment. In addition to social ("green") entrepreneurs, the results of this project are also aimed at mentors and teachers of green entrepreneurship, thus enriching their arsenal of knowledge, good practices and training techniques.

What are the expected results from this project?

• Climate Change Platform – a digital tool is being created that will measure the carbon footprint of businesses and people, and include advice and suggestions for entrepreneurs to improve.
• Climate Change & Sustainable You Handbook - a handbook is being developed that will contain various components and knowledge related to climate change and achieving SDGs that educators of managers and entrepreneurs can select and add to their training, teaching and/or mentoring. An initial draft version of this manual is available HERE.
• Innovating for Climate Change & Sustainability Toolkit - a tool designed directly for entrepreneurs and SMEs to help manage innovation, to facilitate the introduction of new ideas, processes or products related to the fight against climate change. In particular, the handbook will look at the effects of climate change on business and recommend how to adapt to it, how businesses can impact climate change and how to reduce this negative impact on the environment.

The second project, in which Euro-perspectives participates, is Biodiversity and Climate Change Community Champions and is also financed under the Erasmus+ Program. The project develops innovative means of continuous education for those representatives of the business community who can become leaders ("champions") in the fight against climate change and biodiversity, contributing to the achievement of 6 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project aims to provide the local community, social entrepreneurship, business and volunteers with skills and knowledge to implement activities and initiatives as a countermeasure to climate change and biodiversity. Different models are possible to reverse the negative trends, all of which require the combined efforts of national and local authorities, producers and consumers.

The models that will be developed/presented will be linked to the specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and more specifically to the following goals:

• Sustainable production and consumption - Goal 12 (SDG12)
• Conservation of biodiversity and good health and well-being - Goal 3 (SDG 3) and Goal 13 (SDG 13)
• Making cities and towns inclusive, safe, adaptive and sustainable places to live - Goal 11 (SDG 11)
• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all - Goal 4 (SDG 4)
• Conserve, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable forest management, combat desertification, stop and reverse the process of land degradation and stop the loss of biological diversity - Goal 15 (SDG 15).

What is the message of our colleagues from KISMC and Euro-perspectives?

The fight against climate change is not only a global challenge, but also a serious opportunity for starting and developing an innovative business. The projects we work for are in support of policies, measures and activities to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity. In turn, participation in business projects in this area returns money, creates jobs and builds potential for innovative development and business diversification. Both public and private investment in fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity will not only have a high return, but will also be a response to the moral debt that we as businesses and citizens owe to future generations.