For dealing with the continuing coronavirus crisis companies are forced to overthink the processes and structures they’ve had in place so far This is a huge task, but one that at the same time bears the opportunity to also tackle the urgent challenge of climate change.

For the first time in years the sky over China is clear again, while air pollution has also decreased in Europe. In Venice, the water in the lagoon has even become blue again in some places. These are the positive effects of this crisis: for the moment the environment has recovered. For companies who have to cope with the economic challenges of this crisis, this could be a reason to factor climate protection into their corporate strategy even more. That way, the positive effects on the environment could remain permanently.

Transport and traffic as the main drivers for carbon emissions

Across all industry sectors the German Federal Environment Agency recorded a decline in carbon emissions in 2019. With the exception of the traffic sector: not only do transport and traffic emissions make up a large part of the Environmental Agency´s calculation, they even continue to increase. This makes it obvious that there is a need for action now and for the future.

Indeed, companies are currently being forced to reduce their traffic-related emissions in many places as a result of interrupted supply chains or the restricted mobility of their staff. These are in fact the areas where effective emission reductions could be achieved also in a time after this crisis if these issues are fundamentally reconsidered: How can supply chains be organised more regionally so that they can be more easily controlled in the event of a crisis while simultaneously causing fewer emissions? Are there alternative raw materials which generate less CO₂? Can trains play a bigger role in logistics?

Furthermore, far-reaching travel restrictions raise questions about the necessity of business trips and general employee commuting. Some already work from home and are increasingly using web-based collaboration and communication tools. If some of these measures can be continued in the time “afterwards”, this could have a positive effect on carbon footprints also in the long term.

Moreover, considering some basic rules for virtual collaboration such as closer staff coordination, more time for decision making and more careful planning will lead to better results in general. Or, as the American journal DatacenterDynamics puts it in its analysis of the meaning of the coronavirus crisis for our understanding of climate change: “travel less, communicate more, plan better”.

Companies see opportunities: Academy events with record numbers of participants

Of course, a manufacturing company can’t reorganise its supply chain overnight. However, for every economic challenge the current crisis presents, it also provides opportunities to instigate changes that will permanently reduce carbon emissions or avoid them altogether.

The fact that companies can see the significance of climate protection in the current situation is shown by the high number of participants in our Climate Protection Academy. Compared to last year twice as many companies have taken part in the events which we’ve been holding online recently due to the coronavirus situation. So, interest seems to be increasing. That’s an encouraging sign.