COP21: Accelerating the Transition

Dear Partner,

We have a lot to celebrate. The COP21 Paris Agreement beat the odds: an accord was struck among 196 countries to cap global warming at the 1.5°C threshold. The world cheers the success and we join along convinced that the agreement will serve as an impetus for change. Indeed, the world is transitioning to a new economy in which our governments and businesses will build more resilient operating models.
 
Business: Taking Science Seriously
 
The game-changer at the Paris Climate Conference was the influence that business had on the conversation. Companies publicly committed to new and challenging targets, particularly the setting of greenhouse gas emission reduction in line with climate science or science-based targets. This welcome rise in science and measurement will help companies make fact-based decisions. And even though the agreement was on climate, I was happy to speak to many companies looking beyond carbon to other environmental issues such as water, biodiversity and deforestation (see upcoming conference hosted by Quantis) .
Photo Francois Mori AP
Photo Francois Mori AP

But soon the 2015 party will end, other headlines will grace our newsfeeds, and our valiant sustainability champions will be left to lead the 2016 acceleration. 

Here are some questions for you and insights gleaned from COP21 and infused with some tips from working with some leading sustainable business leaders and organizations:
  • Still looking for the  sustainability business case? Stop. It's right in front of you. COP21 provides the missing, long-term framework that businesses needed to accelerate the transition.
  • Traditional, incremental change is not going to cut it. Sustainable companies are not being "managed". Leadership, vision and purpose drive the most resilient, sustainable companies. Engage in a disruptive model: leverage your eco-system of partners and peers.
  • Wanted: Board-level CSO. Yes! This signals to your stakeholders that being resilient is a priority for your company in this changing economy.
  • Who's accelerating? Who's putting on the brakes? You might want to get those people in the same room. If you're the one putting on the brakes, ask yourself: "Why?" It usually comes down to a lack of true understanding. To the champions: try to engage, educate and communicate in the other's business language.
  • Is there a commitment gap between your organization and those of our trade association? This was a hot topic during the COP21 side discussions. Environmental advocacy can, in fact, go opposite the vocal commitments. Check with your industry group.
  • Sustainability methodology has stabilized. The good news is that solid methodologies and tools have been developed to tackle today's environmental challenges.
  • It's about Generation S. Despite the attractiveness of Millennials, it's really about the leadership of "Generation Sustainability": people within your company, those you sell to and buy from. Stakeholders want to know that you are doing business in a responsible, post-COP21 way. 
The transition is both exciting and challenging! Contact me if you'd like to discuss any of these hot topics for 2016.

I'm privileged to lead a passionate group of sustainability champions and environmental impact experts that get to work with innovative organizations every day. At Quantis, we help companies transition to the new economy by sharing knowledge and expertise, by co-creating strategies, and by building compelling, fact-based sustainability stories. 
 
So before we accelerate in 2016, let's celebrate a little longer. Here's to you: my team, my partners, my peers and to all the champions!

Season's Greetings,

Emmanuelle Aoustin
CEO, Quantis


CommThe Story Behind and Beyond the Metrics

Collaboration is key to effective sustainability strategies. And to collaborate effectively, we must communicate effectively to all stakeholders involved. But let's face it...sustainability can be confusing and metrics can be daunting. Excel spreadsheets certainly don't speak to everyone so how you are presenting environmental metrics is increasingly important. 

Our partners turn to us for sustainable communications solutions because we deliver a unique two-pronged approach: we couple the science of sustainability with a creative approach to telling the story behind and beyond the metrics. 
Steelcase web tool

Quantis' Communication Toolbox

Sustainability Reports
Sustainable Communication Workshops
Interactive Web Tools 
Internal Newsletters - Case Studies
White Papers - Infographics - Datavisualization

To learn about how we help companies express complex data with simple and creative graphics, workshops and tools, talk to Natalia Stepanova or Lori Gustavus.

events Newpaper
Madrid, Spain - Jan 12-13
Quantis chairs Day 1 of this event thats brings together F&B leaders to discuss the risks and opportunities in the industry.

Phoenix, US - Feb 23-24
Join Jon Dettling and his team for some play time! Learn how to engage multi-functional stakeholders on sustainability topics by playing the Life Cycle Perception Game.

Zürich, Switzerland - March 15
Rainer Zah will participate in this discussion forum, reuniting experts from public and private sectors, on how to assess the impacts of land use on biodiversity and soil quality in LCA.

Scope3SCOPE 3 WEBINAR SERIES
These two webinars, recently presented by Quantis, will guide you through the process whether you are just getting started or are leading Scope 3 and corporate footprint projects.
Access the slides or recordings here.

To learn more on corporate footprint and Scope 3, please contact Sarah Mandlebaum.

GHGGHG REPORT SWITZERLAND
New report "Indirect GHG Emissions Calculations in Switzerland (exec summary)" ( full report in German): Quantis and BSD Consulting mandated to deliver insights and recommendations to the Swiss Office of the Environment. Check out the findings here.

For more information on the report, please contact Rainer Zah.
ALCIGThe LCA Expert Corner

ALCIG & WFLDB:  Complex Acronyms to Simplify Food LCA

The food industry has been very active in using and developing Life Cycle Assessment over the past years. There are however numerous challenges when performing Life Cycle Assessment in this industry that are important to highlight and address. The first is the calculation and integration of direct emissions, the second the lack of generic data and final the missing methodological alignment.  

ALCIG (Agriculture Life Cycle Inventory Generator) and the WFLDB (World Food LCA Database) are two initiatives in which Quantis is playing a major role that address some of these challenges.
 
ALCIG is a web tool, developed by Quantis, which transforms primary data in inventory models that can be uploaded in LCA software. 

Read the Quantis Blog post for more information or contact Yves Loerincik.
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