Climate Week: The Launchpad for Corporate Sustainability Action


09/18/2023


In the realm of forestry, collaboration is the linchpin of advancement. As we endeavor to apply nature-centric solutions to mitigate climate change impacts, partnerships become increasingly vital. The private sector is emerging as a significant player in this dialogue, with corporations wielding their influence to channel financial support and public awareness towards conservation efforts.

These companies are altering their internal operations to adopt more sustainable sourcing and packaging methods, thereby influencing consumers to make eco-friendly choices. In essence, corporations have the potential to set a precedent for sustainability.

New York City’s Climate Week serves as a focal point for organizations keen on utilizing their corporate power to effect substantial change. This event allows corporations to assess their progress in sustainability and establish future benchmarks. The Arbor Day Foundation takes pride in joining these progressive leaders for a week filled with learning, exchange, and introspection.

Over the past five decades, the Arbor Day Foundation has formed alliances with numerous corporate entities eager to make a difference through tree planting. These collaborations have led to groundbreaking work that has revolutionized communities and forests globally. We value the faith these companies place in us, recognizing the gravity of this environmental movement and the importance of trees.

Some of our partners are expanding their efforts through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Evergreen Alliance. This group of supporters will meet with Arbor Day Foundation leaders during Climate Week to discuss biodiversity needs. We will also organize a separate meeting in Brooklyn to emphasize the importance of urban forests in combating extreme heat. While we always welcome the opportunity to share our nonprofit’s collective wisdom and experience, we also appreciate learning from these private sector leaders who each have a unique vision for making a positive impact while maintaining a thriving sustainable business.

We are thrilled to support more corporate leaders pledging sustainability commitments at the Private Sector Forum, hosted by the UN Secretary-General. This year, the UN is urging corporations to commit to becoming ‘early movers’ of the Forward Faster initiative. This campaign encourages private sector leaders to achieve tangible results in five systemic impact areas, including climate. Trees are one of the most cost-effective and scalable solutions to our current climate crisis. By participating in tree planting in communities and forests most in need, companies can make an immediate difference. It’s a mutually beneficial situation that enhances biodiversity, improves water quality, captures carbon, and boosts human wellbeing everywhere.

We are grateful to the UN for providing us with this opportunity to share this perspective with this group of corporate leaders. We know they feel a strong responsibility to contribute to the climate change dialogue, and we believe tree planting is one of the most unifying solutions available, transcending both politics and prejudice.
 
During the upcoming days in New York, we anticipate a multitude of declarations of intent. The Arbor Day Foundation is excited to witness the private sector making these audacious commitments. We urge them to aim higher, strive further, and envision larger in terms of their sustainability objectives.

However, the journey doesn’t end there.

Climate Week and the commitments made during this time should act as a springboard for action. This occasion serves as a launch point for corporations to implement changes that will influence our planet for future generations.

The inception of a lasting impact begins now.