2024 will be a pivotal year in many industries and pose numerous changes for the world we live in. However, living will prove to be rather tricky since climate change activists warn about the increased temperatures we’ll face in 2024. El Nino is also a cause of the rapid worsening of the situation because it seems to push temperatures to rise, so we should expect 2024 to be 1.5°C warmer than the pre-industrial period.
Although the natural event contributed to this event, we can’t ignore the fact that industries are only boosting their manufacturing, affecting the environment. But that’s not the only detrimental sector because energy, transport and agriculture have considerable input in water, air and soil pollution. These occurrences lead to millions of deaths yearly since the water is contaminated with hazardous chemicals, the air is full of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, and the soil isn’t a healthy environment for production anymore.
That’s why 2024 will set the tone for how we’ll handle sustainability until the end of the decade, so let’s see what change it will bring in this matter.
Premium solutions to recycling
Recycling is beneficial in handling biohazards because it ensures waste is separated and going to the right place, where it can properly be disposed of or transformed into a new product. Unfortunately, even with today’s recycling programs, most of the garbage still ends up in landfills due to the knowledge and lack of regular people but as the government’s ignorance.
In 2024, premium solutions will be introduced for businesses and house owners who really care about the environment. They will provide upgraded products and services superior to what is currently on the market regarding the organisation, high-tech machines and guidance. The focus will also shift because plastic isn’t the most significant polluter ―cardboard has a massive potential to worsen climate change due to releasing methane. So, if you’re interested in a better cardboard recycling solution, check out Miltek, whose website you can visit to learn more about cardboard balers and compactors.
Better packaging techniques
Packaging is consistently affecting the environment, from the manufacturing process to the recycling one. It generates greenhouse gases and leads to wastewater, while it’s also difficult to recycle in many cases due to its complex mixture.
Luckily, for 2024, we expect packaging solutions that will reduce the amount of plastic involved and be more accessible to recycle. For instance, the food service industry might have access to products that no longer contain thermoformed foamed polystyrene, while retail won’t use rigid polymers. Finally, plastic blisters and poor retaining structures will be forgotten for medical devices and products in the pharmaceutical sector. Of course, every other industry must take a step ahead to update their packaging, from cosmetics to construction and education. The final goal must include packaging that has a purpose rather than a mindless way to wrap products.
More attention top climate fintech
Climate fintech is a new sector that offers startups mitigating sustainability a chance to access funds. Whether it leverages AI, blockchain or cloud computing, small businesses have a broad development area to approach in order to contribute to less pollution and better practices in the world.
Some of the greatest ideas include the following:
● Paperless digital payments and carbon spending tracking;
● Climate crisis credit cards and green credit management;
● Renewable finance and green bond issuance;
● Emissions marketplaces and energy trading;
These revolutionary project ideas could bring better practices for the financial sector and accelerate the integration of technology in many more countries, expanding access to innovation and development. Climate fintech has been observed to have an increasing interest from female managers, so it can be a great beginning for diversity to be accepted in business.
AI and sustainability measures
Artificial intelligence was the focus of 2023 with the development of ChatGPT and the image generation incident. Although it poses considerable cybersecurity challenges and is still under close observation, the use of AI can actually bring the innovation we’ve been needing if used correctly.
Overall, AI can help with improved resource use and allocate energy properly to reduce companies’ environmental impact. However, when it comes to research and discoveries, experts can leverage AI to forecast requirements for conservating biodiversity through machine learning techniques. At the same time, they can develop the analysis of big data in regard to environmentalism to provide a better understanding of ecological systems.
AI would also be helpful in supply chain management because the challenges of this sector often lead to wasted products or too much fuel consumed for shipping, which has a massive worldwide impact on nature.
Sustainability jobs on the rise
As the sustainability issue deepens, similar jobs are created for staff to be on top of the challenge and contribute to movement in mitigating an eco-friendly future. Hence, you’ll notice an increasing demand for positions such as chief sustainability officer, who develops strategies and monitors environmentalism while collaborating with stakeholders to make progress towards green practices.
Becoming specialised in the sustainability profession goes beyond studying the matter; it requires the willingness to change all industries of the world, from finance to HR, in order to shift the focus to eco-friendly businesses. Hence, there’s a significant surge in green jobs of 237% compared to five years ago, meaning people are getting more interested in the subject.
Indeed, to master the knowledge necessary, you’d need special training, but considering the expansion of the matter, you will find accessible university programs, micro-credentials and specialisations that will enrich your skills in climate science, sustainable finance and other technical abilities.
Bottom line
2024 will be decisive in terms of climate change because temperatures will rise considerably, impacting the planet’s natural resources. Although the situation is worrying, upcoming trends might positively impact sustainability with the help of climate fintech, AI and green employment, bringing change in how we view eco-friendly products and companies. Therefore, along with people’s involvement in green positions, citizens can get educated on the matter, pushing companies’ boundaries to adopt better practices in relation to the environment.
