Cutting Emissions By Half Is (Really) Good for Business

Scientists and big brand companies are working together to push the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the end of 2030, to ensure the country reaches its net-zero emissions target by 2050 – which could as a result boost the economy by $1 trillion!

“President Joe Biden has called it the number one issue facing humanity, and I agree. We know that this is a unique opportunity to build back better—achieving equality, job creation, building a sustainable economy, all in one,” says Patrick Flynn, vice president of sustainability at Salesforce, one of the 300 businesses that signed the letter urging the President to cut emissions in half by 2030. More than 1,000 scientists signed a letter with the same intent.

Companies rarely push for government action towards such targets, but climate change is putting at risk many aspects of their activities, such as droughts and floods that can disrupt agricultural inputs. Revised climate policies could lead to innovations benefiting businesses. According to estimations, the efforts put to reduce emissions could create more than 3 million jobs, and boost the country’s economy by $500 billion a year by 2030, and $1 trillion by 2050.