Human-induced climate change, compounded by the natural climate phenomenon El Niño, has resulted in 2023 being confirmed the hottest on record – and by a considerable margin.

According to scientists, the average temperature in 2023 was 0.17°C higher than in 2016, the previous record year, and the planet now 1.48°C hotter than pre-industrial levels. This is alarmingly close to the 1.5°C temperature target set in the Paris Agreement in 2015, and likely to be exceeded for the first time this year, according to scientists at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (CCCS).

World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas said: “Greenhouse gas levels are record high. Global temperatures are record high. Sea level rise is record high. Antarctic sea ice is record low. It’s a deafening cacophony of broken records.”

Climate change has made itself known with extreme weather, heatwaves and floods causing destruction and devastation across the world.

The UK has not escaped the effects of climate change, with the period July – December 2023 declared the wettest on record, according to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, with many experiencing the devastating impacts of severe flooding at the time of writing. According to Linda Speight of Oxford University, this is a sign of more to come. “A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture so that when it rains, the rainfall is heavier and more likely to lead to flooding. In particular, we know that climate change is leading to warmer and wetter winters in the UK. We will unfortunately experience more winters like this one in the future.”

All organisations must take action to stem climate change now. Scientists agree that a rapid reduction in fossil fuel burning is needed if we are to save the planet.

Indeed, ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP28, in November 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: “We have the roadmap to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 °C and avoid the worst of climate chaos. But we need leaders to fire the starting gun at COP28 on a race to keep the 1.5 degree limit alive: By setting clear expectations for the next round of climate action plans and committing to the partnerships and finance to make them possible; By committing to triple renewables and double energy efficiency; And committing to phase out fossil fuels, with a clear time frame aligned to the 1.5-degree limit”.

The road to net zero is a marathon, not a sprint – but don’t get left behind wondering where your starting point is. Organisations need a clear and strategic plan to tackle their own contribution to climate change to protect the planet for future generations. Zenergi’s Zen Zero service has been designed to help organisations of all sizes, at whatever stage of the journey they are on, to develop an achievable plan to reach net zero.