See all 17 Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs

What is SDG 13 Climate action about?

Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believes that a 1.5°C increase in global temperatures over pre-industrial levels will adversely affect the world’s climate. A 2°C increase will be more serious still. The cause of this warming? Greenhouse gases (GHGs).

The global temperature has already risen 1.1°C above the pre-industrial level and we are seeing the impacts of climate change all around us: rising temperatures, extreme weather events like floods and droughts, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. These impacts affect everyone but people in the developing world are most at risk, as they are less able to adapt.

The social and economic impacts of climate change will be widespread. Climate change will displace millions of people, cause poverty and hunger, widen inequalities and reduce economic growth.

What can a business do to influence SDG 13?

To make progress in SDG 13 businesses need to get serious about reducing the carbon emissions in their products, services and organisations.

How to make progress with SDG 13

Measure and reduce the carbon footprints of your products and packaging.
Measure and reduce your business's carbon footprint.
Work with your suppliers to help them reduce their carbon emissions too (Scope 3).
Enlist support from climate-conscious customers (Scope 3). They’re hungry for credible information to help them choose lower-carbon products.
Consider Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to highlight your progress in reducing your carbon emissions. EPDs tell the environmental story of a product over its life cycle in a simple format, and they’re independently verified.

How businesses can benefit

Reduce environmental and regulatory risks
Reduce costs
Build brand and reputation
Earn revenue from new lower-carbon products
Attract, engage and retain talented team members

Examples

Countdown

New Zealand supermarket chain Countdown is acting on SDG 13 by measuring and reducing its carbon emissions. Read more here: Countdown’s carbon reduction pathway.

InfraBuild

Australian steel manufacturer InfraBuild has SDG 13 front-of-mind with its target to become a low-emission, carbon-neutral steelmaker by 2030. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)’s Green Star ‘Design and As Built’ tool recognises the work InfraBuild is doing to reduce embodied carbon in its steel. Read more here: InfraBuild’s energy-saving process

Eagle Lighting

Australia manufacturer Eagle Lighting is tackling SDG 13 through its supply chain. It expects its suppliers to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and solutions. Read more here: Eagle Lighting’s responsible procurement.