Sustainability

Sustainable Development Goals - South Africa focus

Key findings

Key findings

 

Key findings

Three cubic blocks infographic

What risk has risen to the top of identified global risks presented by the World Economic Forum (WEF)?

Failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation is -

  • No. 1 of the Top 10 regarding impact of a global risk
  • No. 3 of the Top 10 for likelihood of the risk materialising

What does this mean for business?

At the end of 2015, a big shift from business as usual was achieved with the signing of the Paris Agreement at COP21. The agreement indicated that all 195 countries planned to be more ambitious in their climate efforts. With the climate agreement taking effect in 2020, governments will likely implement new requirements for reporting on climate issues, with additional mitigation and adaptation measures being rolled out.

World map inside a human eye infographic
Statistics graphs infographic

What should you do about climate-related risk?

  • Climate risk often translates into business risk.
  • Implement robust measurement and reporting systems for carbon emissions, accompanied by appropriate carbon management strategies to help manage the exposure to carbon risk.
  • Management, employees, suppliers and industry peers need to work together to find innovative solutions.
  • Look for growth opportunities when responding to climate change challenges.

How can governments and organisations minimise the impact of climate change, lower their risk, adapt to the change, and take advantage of the opportunities that are available?

Vulnerability assessments help to scope the most serious risks using indices of climate exposure, hazard intensity and environmental outcomes.

Christmas tree next to a box infographic


Businesses: What actions do you think your business will be taking within the next five years to implement the SDGs?

Bar graph elaborating Sustainable Development Goals

Contact us

Chantal van der Watt

Chantal van der Watt

Associate Director | Sustainability and Climate Change, PwC South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 11 797 5541

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