Despite many governments and companies pledging to cut emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, global temperatures keep rising. In 2024, we saw the highest average temperature ever recorded, marking the hottest decade since the 1880s.
The world isn’t reducing carbon emissions quickly enough to prevent severe climate change. A key factor in this slow progress is that many climate plans fail to address a significant contributor to warming. By focusing on this issue, we can enhance climate action, especially for businesses facing growing heat risks.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2°C to avoid disastrous effects. Most emissions reduction strategies mainly target carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas that hangs around for centuries. But this long-term view overlooks something crucial: almost half of the current warming is driven by short-lived climate pollutants—often called super pollutants—such as methane, nitrous oxide, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These pollutants stay in the atmosphere for a short time but are far more potent than CO₂ in heating the planet.
Because climate plans often ignore these super pollutants, we miss a chance to make a significant difference. Companies struggling to meet climate targets could benefit greatly from addressing these potent gases.
To curb warming and protect themselves from extreme heat, businesses need a broader strategy. This means adopting a “total climate accounting” approach that considers all major heat contributors. By identifying the most effective interventions, businesses can spend their resources wisely while also improving conditions in their local areas, like lowering urban heat and enhancing air quality.
An example of effective action is eliminating HFCs, commonly found in refrigerants and aerosols. Tackling these can prevent warming that is thousands of times greater than the same amount of CO₂, with almost immediate results. Additionally, switching to more reflective building materials can help reduce heat in urban settings and lower energy costs.
Some companies are already making this shift. For example, Google recently committed to removing 25,000 tons of methane and HFCs by 2030, a move comparable to taking one million cars off the road in terms of its CO₂ impact. This proactive stance allows them time to develop further decarbonization strategies.
Similarly, Napa Recycling and Waste Services in California has adopted this inclusive approach to climate accounting. By understanding both long-term and short-term heat drivers, they can prioritize projects that effectively manage immediate heat challenges while working towards overall decarbonization. This includes addressing methane emissions from composting and reducing black carbon from diesel generators, leading to better air quality for local communities.
Extreme heat isn’t a distant threat; it’s already affecting economies and businesses today. Delaying action only escalates risks and costs. For sustainable operations and faster climate progress, businesses should embrace a heat-informed strategy. This approach means moving beyond a sole focus on carbon and recognizing the importance of super pollutants in the broader climate equation.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), reducing these pollutants can have immediate benefits, making it clear that addressing super pollutants is essential for meaningful climate action. By upgrading their climate strategies, businesses can not only help the planet but also ensure their resilience against the impacts of climate change.
