The COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be the ultimate looking glass - revealing hidden injustices and fault-lines across all levels of society - in all parts of the world. It has unearthed hitherto and often ignored dependence on underpaid, often vulnerable key workers; everyday exposure to poor air quality; mental stress; the deterioration of rules-based regimes and politics - and - most importantly - our failure to protect nature and tackle climate risk. 

The message on climate risk is particularly stark and urgent. In 2020, CO2 emissions are expected to fall by around 8% (the good news) as a result of the economic shut-down. But the bad news is that we need to repeat the trick of an 8% reduction every subsequent year to meet our Paris Commitments. The only way to solve this challenge is to build a new economy designed for a net-zero, more inclusive, and healthier world. COVID has shown us that we do not have the luxury of time, nor do we have the option of going back. So, if we want to build a healthier, more sustainable planet, we need to start with a vision of the future that we want. We need to turn reflection into purposeful action. There are many companies doing exactly this - here’s a quick look at four of the coolest:-

Dendra Systems provides intelligence and automation services to restore natural ecosystems at scale, globally. Dendra’s solution addresses the challenge of restoring 2 billion hectares of degraded land across the world, created from years of imbalance between the rate of ecosystem destruction and ecosystem restoration. Their vision for the future is that automated tools and intelligence systems will enable large scale restoration of natural ecosystems to protect our climate and the sustainability of our natural world.

Cervest is pioneering Earth Science AI to help businesses, governments and growers adapt to climate volatility. Using machine learning, it generates real-time streamed ‘signals’ to answer questions linked to climate uncertainty, land, and natural resources. It brings clarity to decisions to help mitigate risk, safeguard food, and ensure economic security – and supports the restoration and resilience of our planet and its people. Partnering with leading enterprises in food and crop science, as well as government bodies, Cervest is led by a passionate team including sector experts, world-renowned scientists, and technologists. 

Pachama uses AI and remote sensing to verify and monitor carbon capture by forests to help finance conservation and reforestation. Their mission is to restore nature to solve climate change. They leverage data, artificial intelligence, and automation to protect ecosystems, restore forests, and improve carbon markets. They believe in putting better data in the hands of people who care about creating a healthier planet. 

City Science is a team of software developers, data scientists, and experts in transportation and energy. They build products to help engineers, planners, and leaders deliver the future. They were founded out of the need to respond to climate change, and are committed to advancing their customers’ understanding of the systems they operate, helping them reduce waste, improve efficiency and hopefully make the world better.

Sharesource is a social enterprise that also cares deeply about mitigating climate change and creating a healthier, more sustainable planet. They strive to make a positive difference in the world and their purpose is to provide meaningful work and experience for STEM graduates in developing countries. If this sounds like it aligns with your business values and you’re looking to make a difference in the world and meet your social responsibility goals, download the eBook, '30 Essential Questions to Ask a Provider Before You Outsource’. It will ensure you're informed and have the right questions to ask when considering the next step.