Advisory practices for climate impact reduction

Actions to Reduce Scope 3 Emissions 🌎 Scope 3 emissions typically account for the largest share of a company's carbon footprint, covering indirect emissions across the entire value chain. Addressing them effectively requires a multifaceted approach that engages suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders. This framework outlines clear actions across key Scope 3 categories, ranging from procurement to investments. Each action is categorized into three progressive levels, encouraging companies to start with quick wins and advance toward deeper integration and systemic change. In purchasing and capital goods, strategies include substituting high-GHG materials and equipment, applying GHG criteria in investment decisions, and engaging suppliers to standardize emissions reporting. These measures aim to embed sustainability criteria across the sourcing process. For energy-related activities and transportation, reducing energy consumption, switching to lower-emission fuels, and electrifying fleets play a critical role. While some listed actions—such as on-site renewable generation—typically fall under Scope 1 or 2, they remain integral to broader decarbonization strategies. Operational waste and product lifecycle emissions require both upstream and downstream interventions. Companies can minimize waste at source, enhance recycling processes, and design for recyclability, ensuring materials remain in circulation and emissions are mitigated across product life cycles. Business travel, employee commuting, and leased assets offer opportunities to reduce emissions through virtual collaboration tools, promotion of public transport, retrofitting for energy efficiency, and improving facility operations—highlighting the value of internal policies and infrastructure upgrades. Downstream logistics and product use demand focused improvements in logistics efficiency and product energy performance. Encouraging efficient product use and adopting low-GHG energy sources can reduce the footprint associated with sold goods and services. Franchise and investment-related emissions emphasize the importance of supporting energy-efficient operations and prioritizing low-carbon investment portfolios. Channeling funding into clean tech and applying rigorous climate criteria to investment decisions are essential for long-term impact. The success of Scope 3 reduction strategies depends not only on technical interventions but also on clear governance and collaboration frameworks. Accurate data collection, traceability, and continuous engagement across the value chain ensure sustained progress. Comprehensive Scope 3 management is vital for achieving credible net-zero targets. This framework provides a roadmap to operationalize reductions, integrating climate action into the heart of corporate strategy and ensuring alignment with global decarbonization goals. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #emissions

🌍 Disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies are increasingly urgent. To meet this challenge, the 𝐂𝐑𝐌-𝐍𝐛𝐒 Toolkit has been developed to help countries embed nature-based solutions. It brings together environmental knowledge, policy alignment, practical interventions, inclusive governance, and integrated planning. Through this approach, it provides a clear pathway for building resilience while safeguarding ecosystems and human well-being. 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸. 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥 1: 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Countries collect and compile data on environment, climate, hazards, and vulnerabilities to build a risk profile. - Using IPCC’s risk approach and Indigenous knowledge, the stocktake highlights where NbS can deliver the strongest impact. 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥 2: 𝐍𝐛𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: - National plans and strategies are screened for NbS references through targeted keyword checks. - This process identifies entry points, exposes policy gaps, and ensures new NbS reinforce existing frameworks. 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥 3: 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐛𝐒 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - The toolkit provides categories and options for selecting NbS tailored to hazards and ecosystems. - Selected measures balance risk reduction with co-benefits such as biodiversity, resilience, and livelihoods. 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥 4: 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Countries are supported to mobilize stakeholders across institutions, sectors, and governance levels. - It promotes transparent participation that empowers communities and ensures NbS are inclusive and fair. 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥 5: 𝐍𝐛𝐒 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Countries are guided to embed NbS within DRR strategies, adaptation plans, and cross-sector policies. - Global examples and templates illustrate how integration turns scattered efforts into coherent strategies. 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 - A checklist aligns the five tools in sequence to help countries track their progress. - It ensures a logical, stepwise approach that moves from risk profiling to policy integration. In essence, the CRM-NbS Toolkit is a structured pathway to mainstream nature-based solutions in #disaster and #climaterisk management. By moving from stocktake to integrated planning, countries can build resilience, safeguard ecosystems, and protect people’s well-being against climate change.

As climate disasters grow more frequent and severe, traditional approaches to risk reduction are no longer enough. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Toolkit presents a smarter way forward—leveraging ecosystems to strengthen disaster resilience and climate adaptation. What makes this approach effective? 1. Understanding Risks – Mapping climate hazards and vulnerable areas 2. Aligning Policies – Integrating NbS into national adaptation and disaster plans 3. Engaging Communities – Ensuring inclusive, transparent decision-making 4. Scaling Proven Solutions – From mangrove restoration to urban greening, real-world examples show impact For policymakers, climate advocates, and risk managers, this resource is a game changer.

In a new report, our Net-Zero Advisory Body recommends that the Canadian government develop a national carbon budget—the total greenhouse gas emissions that Canada will emit over time. Alongside the budget, we advise that Canada adopt a 2035 emissions target of 50-55% reduction below 2005 levels. The government is scheduled to announce a new 2035 target by the end of this year. The target and the budget will keep Canada on pace with our international allies and the long-term goal of net-zero emissions. The US, for example, hasn't set a 2035 target yet, but already has a target of a 50-52% reduction by the year 2030. In companion report, we recommend five key sets of actions that can help Canada achieve its existing 2030 target, and get the country that long-term path: - finish policy work that is still underway, like the Clean Electricity Regulations - minimize negative interactions, whereby one policy inadvertently limits the effectiveness of others - strengthen the industrial carbon pricing system, to ensure promised emissions reductions are realized - work to secure absolute emissions reductions from the oil and gas sector, which is responsible to close to one-third (~31%) of Canada's emissions - implement a small set of additional actions to close the rest of the gap Our analysis builds on the existing and announced suite of climate policies in part because adjusting existing actions is faster, more effective, and requires fewer public resources than designing and implementing new policies from scratch. These recommendations may seem ambitious, but the research and analysis shows they are achievable, will provide companies and investors with better policy and cost certainty, and are important to keeping Canada on pace with its trading partners in a rapidly decarbonizing world. The federal government can't solve this on its own though; getting there will require greater ambition from the federal government, and from provinces, territories, municipalities, and the private sector. This work was possible because of the tireless effort of the members and staff of the Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB) - Groupe consultatif pour la carboneutralité (GCPC) over the past year, and valuable research support from the Canadian Climate Institute / Institut climatique du Canada. #climatechange #climatepolicy #Canada

🌿 Role of Carbon Footprint Reduction in CSA 1️⃣ Enhances Climate Resilience Reducing emissions leads to: • Lower atmospheric GHG concentrations • Reduced climate extremes (heatwaves, droughts, floods) • More stable crop production CSA promotes low-carbon systems to help farmers adapt to changing climates. ⸻ 2️⃣ Improves Soil Health and Fertility Low-carbon practices such as: • Organic farming • Conservation tillage • Cover cropping • Composting These enhance soil organic carbon, improving: • Soil structure • Water-holding capacity • Nutrient availability Healthier soils mean better productivity with fewer inputs. ⸻ 3️⃣ Supports Sustainable Production Reducing carbon footprint creates: • More efficient use of fertilizers • Lower fuel consumption • Optimized water and energy use This leads to higher yields with lower costs, aligning with CSA’s productivity goals. ⸻ 4️⃣ Mitigates Climate Change Low-emission agriculture helps: • Reduce methane (CH₄) from livestock and rice cultivation • Reduce nitrous oxide (N₂O) through better nitrogen management • Increase carbon sequestration in soil and trees This contributes to India’s and global Net-Zero emission targets. ⸻ 5️⃣ Promotes Renewable Energy Adoption CSA encourages: • Solar pumps • Biogas plants • Solar dryers • Solar-powered cold storage These reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower the overall carbon footprint of farming. ⸻ 6️⃣ Supports Market Access and Premium Prices Low-carbon agriculture: • Meets global sustainability standards • Attracts carbon credits • Fetches higher prices for climate-friendly produce This improves farmer income and livelihood security. ⸻ 7️⃣ Encourages Circular and Efficient Resource Use Carbon footprint reduction promotes: • Recycling of farm waste • Minimizing burning of residues • Efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides • Water-saving irrigation (drip, sprinkler) Circular systems reduce emissions and improve sustainability. ⸻ 🌾 Key CSA Practices That Reduce Carbon Footprint ✔ Precision farming ✔ Biofertilizers and organic amendments ✔ Zero/minimum tillage ✔ Agroforestry and afforestation ✔ Water-saving irrigation ✔ Improved livestock feeding and manure management ✔ Renewable energy systems ✔ Low-emission rice practices (AWD, SRI) ⸻ 🌎 Conclusion Reducing the carbon footprint is central to CSA, as it ensures: • Sustainable productivity • Lower GHG emissions • Increased climate resilience • Better soil and ecosystem health • Economic benefits to farmers Carbon footprint reduction transforms agriculture into a climate-smart, future-ready, and environmentally responsible system.

For the first time our environment and engineering sectors have some practical ways to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from our advice. https://lnkd.in/efUdSVZm This is so important as while we often measure greenhouse gas emissions in designs, increasing amount of our work is advice rather than design. And where we are working on designs, previously it's been hard to separate out the greenhouse gas emissions of different parties working on the scheme. It's been a privilege to lead a really thoughtful team who have worked together on this challenge - Ida Namur, Charlotte Downes, Christopher Pountney, Chloë Wallington Fiddy, Robert Spencer, Lewis Barlow, Will Arnold - and it was great to launch our suggestions in our WSP in the U.S. offices as part of #climateweekNY. In our paper we've set out three ways our sector can estimate greenhouse gas impacts. 1️⃣ A fast assessment of the % of company revenue which supports - works against - or is agnostic to the net zero transition. 2️⃣ An allocation of the whole life carbon emissions of a project based on the % of fee that each part of the project team takes. 3️⃣ An allocation of the whole life carbon emissions of a project based on the relative influence of each party. Each has potential and different uses. Please do download our report, consider the options and share your view. Together we'll review all the feedback we receive and aim to produce further recommendation in early 2025. #futureready #togetherwecreate #wearewsp

Soil management in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) focuses on practices that enhance soil health, resilience, and productivity while mitigating climate change impacts. Key strategies include: 1. Conservation Agriculture: Minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotations to reduce erosion and improve soil organic matter. 2. Organic Amendments: Using natural materials like compost, manure, or cover crops to enrich soil fertility and structure. 3. Crop Rotation and Intercropping: Diversifying crops to promote soil biota, reduce pests and diseases, and enhance nutrient cycling. 4. Integrated Soil Fertility Management: Combining organic and inorganic fertilizers to optimize nutrient use efficiency. 5. Soil Water Management: Implementing practices like mulching, contour farming, and efficient irrigation to conserve water and reduce runoff. 6. Agroforestry: Integrating trees into farming systems to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. These practices help to build resilient agricultural systems, improve food security, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

We tend to talk about climate through the lens of “𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.” But lately I've been thinking about the opportunity that lies in 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥-𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨:  🛑 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 tackles the root causes of climate change by reducing or slowing down emissions (e.g., increasing energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc). 🌍🛡️𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (A&R) are about preparing for and reducing climate impacts (e.g., early warning systems, drought-resistant crops) and enabling recovery from climate shocks (e.g., flood and fire insurance). 𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘮. 𝘈𝘴 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘠𝘊 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬, 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 3 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 1️⃣ 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐀&𝐑 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:  Research from Tailwind Futures shows that while pure A&R startups (e.g., climate risk analytics, disaster preparedness) make up 12% of climate tech ventures, they only receive 3%, or about $4.5B, of total funding. The imbalance underscores the capital gap—and opportunity—to strengthen communities and industries for the realities of a changing climate. 2️⃣ 𝐀𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀&𝐑 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:  Investors highlighted promising A&R investment opportunities, such as: ♦ Insuretech (e.g., FutureProof Technologies which offers property-specific insurance solutions that encourage proactive climate risk mitigation). ♦ Better data, analytics and predictive models (e.g., Sand Technology which applies AI to disaster response, healthcare, and water waste). ♦ Resilient construction materials (e.g., DexMat, developer of resilient, sustainable construction materials). As CEO Bryan Hassin put it, “𝘞𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺." 3️⃣ 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀&𝐑: Hunter Maats, CEO of Resilience Investments, noted, “𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 21𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘺.” Jay Koh, Co-Founder of the The Lightsmith Group Group, emphasized that adaptation “𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵—𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦.” These quotes illustrate how social and environmental considerations are interwoven in climate mitigation and adaption and require a systems view. ❓ What else should we be paying attention to related to climate adaptation? #climateweek #climateweek2025 #UNGA #climateadaptation #impactinvesting #impinv #socialimpact CASE at Duke

Today in Science Magazine, Jasper Verschuur, Prof Nicola Ranger and I argue that climate adaptation finance is not demonstrably achieving the desired outcome, which is climate risk reduction. https://lnkd.in/dJ4mrxaM We propose five policy reforms that will help shift the focus from inputs to outputs and outcomes: 1. Better local climate risk information, for example for infrastructure, agriculture and people. We need to know the baseline risk if we are to understand whether adaptation finance is shifting the dial. 2. More specific adaptation strategies. Too often there's a gulf between what's in countries' National Adaptation Plans and what ends up happening on the ground. 3. Realistic financing, which takes account of countries' fiscal situation and how it may be impacted by climate shocks; along with a shortened time-frame for international finance mobilization. 4. Much more capable adaptation project delivery, by building local capacity, including in crucial institutions like planning departments and public works. 5. Rigorous monitoring of adaptation delivery and its outcomes in terms of climate risk reduction. Sorting this out won't happen overnight, and we argue that a long-term perspective shouldn't detract from early action to manage climate impacts that are happening now. We're grateful for support from the Climate Compatible Growth #CCG programme.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: it’s also a solution. I recently revisited a remarkable toolkit developed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). It offers a practical, step-by-step framework for integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into national strategies for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). 🌐 👏 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁? This isn’t just another climate toolkit. It’s a comprehensive guide to embedding NbS into policy, planning, and implementation — with real-world examples from Bangladesh, Kiribati, Malawi, Timor-Leste, and more. It's a powerful bridge between ecosystem thinking and national resilience building. 𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: ✅ NbS must be planned through inclusive, multi-stakeholder processes, respecting local knowledge systems like Timor-Leste’s Tara Bandu. ✅Integrated planning is critical. Tools in the guide enable alignment between DRR and CCA through ecosystem-based planning, across all scales. ✅NbS is not a luxury, it's a cost-effective, scalable strategy for climate resilience, flood management, food security, and biodiversity protection. ✅Governance matters. The document emphasizes transparent decision-making and empowerment of vulnerable groups in NbS deployment. ✅From intention to action: The toolkit includes checklists, case studies, and policy entry points that make it implementable, not just theoretical. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀? Policy architects, disaster risk managers, climate advisors, local governments, and sustainability practitioners, especially those looking to mainstream NbS into national frameworks will find this toolkit indispensable. As someone who works at the intersection of climate risk and sustainable development, I find this toolkit aligns perfectly with the evolving need for integrated, nature-led, and inclusive climate action. #NatureBasedSolutions #DisasterRiskReduction #ClimateAdaptation #NbS #resilience #ecosystemrestoration #planetaryhealth #planetaryboundaries #sustainability #ClimateAction #carbonfootprint #NetZero #ClimateEmergency #SDG #ESG #GHG #netzero