Net Zero Week 2023: Why Is Sustainability Important To Us?

Net Zero Week 2023: Why Is Sustainability Important To Us?

This Net Zero Week, we discuss the importance of reaching net zero and what changes we can make in our own lives to reduce our carbon footprint.

Net Zero Week is a UK National Awareness Week, running from 1-7 July 2023. If we achieve net zero, we will have achieved two things. Firstly, we will not be releasing any greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere by cutting emissions. Secondly, we will be removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through offsetting.

‘Net zero is the world’s answer to stopping climate change’ – Net Zero Week

Net zero is not the same as ‘carbon neutral’. Carbon neutrality can be achieved by offsetting carbon emissions, such as from a business or domestic emissions. By contrast, net zero means reducing GHG emissions as much as possible, with offsetting acting as the final resort.

The importance of reaching Net Zero

Our feeding harmful gases into our atmosphere is leading the world into irreversible climate disaster. Across the globe, we add 51 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually to the atmosphere, which directly affects global warming. We will see the effects of global warming in increased mass flooding events, more extreme weather, issues with essential supply chains, and much more.

Transport alone presents a major issue for climate activism – it accounts for 37% of global carbon emissions. Research carried out by The World Benchmarking Alliance on the transport sector highlighted that only 7% of assessed companies have made a commitment to phasing out their fossil fuel use.

To prevent the global average temperature rising above 1.5°C and limit global warming as much as possible, we must halve our carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

Making small changes

Net Zero Week 2023 is a chance to champion the changes we can make to our own lives to help reduce our impact on the environment. Here are some tips from Mer employees:

‘In all areas of life, my aim is to leave anything, be it person, space, task, in a better position than I found it. No act is too small, the decisions we make as individuals over what we choose to spend our money on drives change more than anything else and it all makes a difference! I litter pick on dog walks, reduce, reuse, recycle, and pay attention to ensure I don’t ‘Wishcycle’ (putting things into recycling bins that cannot be recycled).’

Beth Hill, Key Projects Manager

‘I think it’s my (our) role and responsibility to protect mother earth and also to keep it habitable for our next generation. I grow my own food in the garden (living in a city – Newcastle, with permaculture, no-dig principles), create my own compost (bin, bokashi, vermicompost), recycle (using yoghurt tub as pots instead of new pots, plastic bottles, toilet rolls cupboard), use thermos to not waste boiled water, wear thicker clothing and socks at home to save on heating energy, and drink oat milk.

‘What’s something that you can change/implement easily to be more sustainable without changing your lifestyle too much? Find something that you can do tomorrow that doesn’t take too much commitment but instead will benefit you (e.g. help you save money). Take one step at a time, every little helps.’

Ken Joo Yeap, Developer

‘Over 900 million tonnes of food is thrown away each year. Food waste is responsible for 8-10% of GHG emissions. To prevent unnecessary food waste at home, I plan meals in advance and buy only what I need. I stock my cupboards with Tupperware, so I can save any leftovers from my meals for the next day, and I also batch cook and freeze portions to limit the waste when food passes its use-by date.’

Isabelle Osborne, Campaign Manager

‘Let your garden grow! Understandably people like to have gardens with beautiful flowers all in a row, neat hedgerows and tidily trimmed lawns, but one of the best ways to encourage more wildlife into your garden is to let the wild go wild! Let your grass grow and save carbon emissions from your petrol or electric mower. Allow vegetation to overgrow and lock in more carbon. Leave the dandelions and daisies to blossom.

I only have a small concrete yard at home but it’s overflowing with pots of various plants, flowers, grass and moss that invite bugs and bees throughout the year – it also provides a great opportunity to educate children on creepy crawlies up close!’

Chantel Gray, SEO & Digital Marketing Specialist