1.3°C of warming. 425 ppm CO₂ in the atmosphere. The global carbon budget is shrinking fast, and could run out within the foreseeable future.

Climate change is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time. The Earth’s average temperature is rising, with consequences that are becoming ever clearer worldwide and across Europe. Extreme weather is becoming more frequent, drought periods  last longer, heavy rainfall causes more flooding, and ecosystems are under pressure. According to the IPCC, human-induced warming now stands at approximately 1.3°C above the 1850–1900 baseline. The economic consequences are also increasing. Organisations are facing more frequent disruptions to supply chains, damage to infrastructure, higher energy costs, and stricter laws and regulations. In the Netherlands, for example, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible, as described by the Dutch national weather service, the KNMI.

CO₂ as the main driver

Global warming is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing the average temperature to rise. Of all the greenhouse gases emitted through human activity, carbon dioxide (CO₂) plays the largest role.

CO₂ is released primarily through the burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil, and coal. This occurs in electricity generation, transport, industrial processes, and the heating of buildings, among other things. Deforestation also contributes to higher CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere. According to the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere now exceeds 425 parts per million (ppm) – more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.

Although other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, also contribute to climate change, CO₂ remains central to international climate policy. This is because CO₂ accounts for a large share of human-induced warming and persists in the atmosphere for a long time. Some of the CO₂ emitted continues to affect the climate for decades to centuries.

Why every tonne of CO₂ counts

Climate change is not caused by a single year’s emissions, but by the total amount of CO₂ that accumulates in the atmosphere. The more CO₂ is emitted, the greater the temperature rise. Scientists therefore refer to a global carbon budget: the maximum amount of CO₂ that can still be emitted while keeping warming within internationally agreed limits.

According to the Global Carbon Project, this remaining carbon budget is shrinking fast. At the current global rate of emissions, the remaining budget to limit warming to 1.5°C will be exhausted within the foreseeable future. This underlines that every tonne of CO₂ avoided genuinely contributes to limiting future climate change. Every reduction helps to reduce the risks of further warming and its consequences.

International Climate Targets

To limit global warming, almost every country has committed to the Paris Agreement. The goal is to keep the global temperature rise well below 2°C, while pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

According to the IPCC, achieving this requires rapid and far-reaching emissions reductions. Global greenhouse gas emissions must fall sharply over the coming decades to keep these climate targets within reach. Governments, businesses, and civil society organisations each have their own responsibility in this effort.

What can your organisation do?

Organisations cause CO₂ emissions through, among other things, energy use, mobility, production processes, and the use of equipment. A significant share of emissions also arises within the value chain, for example among suppliers, transporters, and producers of purchased materials.

This is precisely why organisations can make a meaningful contribution to reducing climate change. This can be achieved by using energy more efficiently, switching to renewable energy, reducing fuel consumption, applying low-emission techniques, and collaborating with value chain partners. Such measures often deliver not only climate benefits, but also cost savings, innovation, and greater resilience for the future.

From insight to reduction

Effective CO₂ reduction begins with insight. Only once it is clear where emissions arise can organisations take targeted action and monitor progress.

A structured approach typically involves mapping CO₂ emissions, setting reduction targets, implementing measures, and periodically evaluating the results. This creates a continuous improvement cycle that allows organisations to reduce their emissions structurally.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder as a helpful tool

Every organisation can contribute to limiting climate change. This starts with gaining insight into its own emissions and taking targeted reduction measures. The CO₂ Performance Ladder offers a practical, proven framework that helps organisations not only reduce their own emissions but also collaborate on sustainability across the value chain. In this way, every tonne of CO₂ avoided contributes to a shared goal: limiting global warming. Curious how this works in practice? Discover how the CO₂ Performance Ladder can help your organisation on its way.