World Earth Day: Another Curve to Flatten

The infection curve is not the only one that needs to be flattened. Planet Earth has been in convalescence under the passive gaze of humankind for decades and decades. Dates such as World Earth Day, celebrated for the 50th time in 2020, are necessary to remind us that, despite the health crisis in which we have been immersed for more than a year now, the Earth cannot wait for us to react.

51 years ago, when this commemorative date was first celebrated, environmental protection was not high on the political and social agenda, but today we can say that the fight against climate change is a top-level concern. This is a victory compared to the society of half a century ago. However, there is still a long way to go.

A constant succession of statistics and reports highlight the dramatic situation in which the planet Earth and mankind, as the inhabitants of its continents, find themselves. For example, the CO2 level currently recorded is 26% higher than that observed in 1970. Moreover, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that the planet’s temperature has risen by nearly one degree Celsius since then. At the same time, the steady decline in the size of glaciers and the reduction in ice cover at the poles are undeniable indicators of the acceleration of climate change in recent years.

17 goals to change the future

The United Nations (UN) adopted its 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development in 2015. It included a total of 17 goals and targets to be met in 15 years. At Fellow Funders we work every day in the fulfillment of these goals to contribute to a better future. Although this list covers a wide range of needs, on World Earth Day it is important to emphasize how the coronavirus has affected goal number 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”.

Although the world’s economies have been devastated by the pandemic, the current crisis may be an opportunity to make a major shift towards a more sustainable economy. In this sense, the UN recommends a series of measures for these new economies to help the survival of the planet.

These guidelines may include the decarbonization of all economic activities, promoting green and inclusive jobs or creating a just transition for all societies and peoples. It is worth noting that the UN promotes investment in sustainable solutions in the same way that at Fellow Funders we support investment in renewable energies and in projects that meet ESG criteria (Environment, Society, Corporate Governance).

Socially Responsible Investment supporting change

Based on ESG criteria, Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) is a form of investment that seeks the sustainability that the planet needs so badly, as World Earth Day reminds us. ESG criteria affect all areas of a company’s management, incorporating ethical, social and environmental standards into its economic management.

In relation to the aforementioned Sustainable Development Goals, a sustainable strategy that incorporates ESG criteria is vital for companies. At Fellow Funders we champion these criteria, and we take them especially into account when choosing projects to finance, since our commitment to sustainability goes far beyond paper.

The socially responsible investment that we promote at Fellow Funders has a double flow of advantages. First, companies that incorporate these ESG criteria will be able to increase their shareholder value and improve their reputation and brand image. Second and more importantly, a business fabric capable of maximizing the implementation of these criteria will contribute to the sustainability of a planet that, on World Earth Day, needs the support of all actors in society.