GLOBAL

WARMING

Submitted To : Prof. Dr. Rajeswharnath

Presented by :

RAHUL RAWAT INMANTEC BUSINESS SCHOOL

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Examining common environmental issues that are shared by all nations Analyzing the steps the global business community can take to reduce ecological damage and promote sustainable development

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Ozone depletion
A bluish gas, composed of three bonded oxygen atoms, that floats in a thin layer in the stratosphere between 9 and 28 miles above the planet 1974 Scientists chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could react with and destroy ozone 1985 - Scientists discovered a thin spot, or hole, in the ozone layer over Antarctica 1987 - A group of nations negotiated the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to cut CFC production, agreement later amended to ban CFCs (This is an example of world governments coming together to address an environmental threat)

As of 2009, 195 countries had signed the protocol

The protective layer will gradually recover if regulatory trends continue

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Global warming

Greenhouse effect occurs when carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere prevent heat from escaping into space Since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased by as much as 25% Caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas If societal emissions of these gases continue to grow unchecked, the earth could warm by as much as 6.4 degrees Celsius by 2100

GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING AND CARBON DIOXIDE

Black carbon

the sooty smoke that is created by the incomplete combustion of diesel engines and wildfires is the second largest contributor to climate change, responsible for as much as 18 percent of global warming

Deforestation

Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and remove it from the atmosphere; therefore cutting down trees contributes to global warming
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is produced as a byproduct of the digestion of some animals, including cows Destroy the ozone and are also considered greenhouse gases

Beef production

CFCs

MORE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Decline of biodiversity

Refers to the number and variety of species and the range of their genetic makeup Scientists estimate that species extinction is occurring at 100 to 1,000 times the normal, background rate due to pollution and habitat destruction A major reason for the decline in the earths biodiversity is the destruction of rain forests

Only half of the original tropical rain forests still stand Rain forests destruction is ironic because they may have more economic value standing than cut

MORE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Threats to marine ecosystems

Refers to oceans, salt marshes, lagoons, and tidal zones that border them, as well as diverse communities of life they support Salt water covers 70 percent of the earths surface and supports many species Key categories of threats to these ecosystems
Fish populations Coral reefs Coastal development

RESPONSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

One of leaders in effort to promote sustainable business practices Made up of 200 companies representing more than 35 countries and 20 industries Goal to encourage high standards of environmental management and to promote closer cooperation among businesses, governments, and other organizations concerned with sustainable development Promotes eco-efficiency and has documented competitive advantages for companies

Those that added the most value with the least use of resources and pollution were more competitive and environmentally sound

VOLUNTARY BUSINESS INITIATIVES

Life cycle analysis

Involves collecting information on the lifelong environmental impact of a product, from extraction of raw material to manufacturing to its distribution, use, and ultimate disposal

Industrial ecology

Refers to designing factories and distribution systems as if they were self-contained ecosystems

Extended product responsibility

Companies have a continuing responsibility for the environmental impact of the products and services, even after they are sold An organization or individual produces net zero emission of greenhouse gases; this is usually accomplished by a combination of energy efficiencies and carbon offsets

Carbon neutrality

CODES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDUCT

Some of the leading universal codes include the following:

Business Charter for Sustainable Development developed by the International Chamber of Commerce CERES Principles developed by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies ISO 14000 a series of voluntary standards developed by the ISO, an international group based in Switzerland

Many executives are championing the idea that corporations have moral obligations to future generations

THANK YOU