Air Pollution: Corporate Accountability For Cleaner Air

Air pollution is a pressing issue that significantly impacts the environment, public health, and the global economy. While various sectors contribute to air pollution, the fossil fuel industry remains the most polluting, with 100 companies responsible for 71% of global GHG emissions since 1988. Tech giants, including Amazon and Google, have also witnessed a surge in energy consumption, while digital currencies like Bitcoin emit millions of tonnes of CO2 annually. The fashion industry, food retail, and construction are other significant contributors to air pollution. Companies play a pivotal role in driving climate change, and their operations, supply chains, and buildings all contribute to the problem. However, businesses can also be part of the solution by prioritising decarbonisation, embracing renewable energy, and adopting sustainable practices.

Fossil fuel companies and their investors

The report, titled "The Carbon Majors Report," identifies 25 corporate and state-owned entities as the source of more than half of global industrial emissions over the last three decades. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron are among the highest emitting investor-owned companies during this period. The scale of their historical emissions is significant enough to have contributed substantially to climate change, and if they continue at this rate, the consequences could be catastrophic.

The fossil fuel sector is the most polluting industry in the world, and emissions from this sector continue to rise. Fossil fuels produce hazardous air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury, which have severe environmental and health impacts. Black and Hispanic Americans, for example, are exposed to significantly higher levels of particulate matter pollution, and areas like "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana have cancer risks nearly 50 times the national average due to the proximity of numerous chemical plants and oil refineries.

Investors in fossil fuel companies are not exempt from responsibility. A Carbon Tracker study in 2015 warned that fossil fuel companies risked wasting over $2 trillion in the following decade by pursuing coal, oil, and gas projects that could become worthless due to international climate action and the growth of renewables. This poses a substantial threat to investor returns, and investors are being urged to engage with carbon majors and push for transparency and disclosure of climate risks.

There is a growing movement towards a carbon-free economy, with companies like Apple, Facebook, Google, and Ikea committing to 100% renewable power. Volvo has also joined this transition by announcing that all its cars will be electric or hybrid. As the world moves towards clean energy, investors in fossil fuel companies face increasing economic risks, and it is crucial for them to reconsider their investments to drive systemic change in carbon emissions.

The fashion sector

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It is responsible for 2-8% of global carbon emissions, and if the current trajectory continues, this share could jump to 26% by 2050. The industry's high energy consumption makes it a major greenhouse gas emitter, with 80% of its energy used in textile manufacturing. The factories that produce textiles operate mostly in China, which relies heavily on coal for energy production.

The fashion industry's supply chains are lengthy and complex, with textile production occurring in countries such as China, India, and Bangladesh, which still rely on coal. The industry's production and manufacturing of natural and synthetic textiles are the most ecologically damaging aspects, with synthetic textiles having a significant impact on the environment and climate throughout their life cycle due to emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants.

Textile production is estimated to be responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution from dyeing and finishing products. It is the third-largest source of water degradation and land use, with an average of nine cubic meters of water, 400 square meters of land, and 391 kilograms of raw materials used to provide clothes and shoes for each EU citizen. The fashion industry also contributes significantly to plastic pollution, with plastic-based textiles shedding microplastics into the environment during laundering. These microplastics are released into the air and oceans, ending up in the food chain.

The rise of fast fashion has exacerbated the industry's impact on the environment. Fast fashion companies have prioritized newness and trends over durability and sustainability, leading to enormous quantities of clothing ending up in landfills. The demand for low-cost, disposable clothing has resulted in the unnecessary overproduction of clothes, with many items never even being sold or worn.

However, there are efforts to make the fashion industry more sustainable. Organizations are working to foster international cooperation and shift the fashion economy towards sustainability. The European Commission has presented a strategy to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable, and recyclable, while also addressing fast fashion and stimulating innovation. The strategy includes new ecodesign requirements, clearer information, and a Digital Product Passport to encourage companies to minimize their environmental impact. Consumers are also becoming more aware of the environmental cost of their clothing choices and are joining the call for a more sustainable industry.

Food retail

Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in the United States and worldwide, and agriculture is a major source of air pollution. The food we eat is one of the leading sources of toxic ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), leading to over 890,000 premature deaths per year. This number may be even higher as air pollution regulations in several countries do not include emissions from the agricultural sector.

Agriculture is the single largest contributor to ammonia pollution and emits other nitrogen compounds, which affect soil quality and, consequently, the capacity of the soil to sustain plant and animal productivity. The growing trade in agricultural products in the last few decades has further increased the amount of pollution emitted from the intensification process in producer countries.

Pollution occurs at every step of the retail supply chain, from inputs such as fertilisers to the extraction of materials through farming and fishing, processing and packaging, distribution and retailing, consumption, and disposal. Plastic pollution is a major issue, with plastic bags and packaging being discarded after a single use, leaching hazardous chemicals into the soil or blowing into rivers and oceans. Retail estates and facilities also contribute to pollution, with supermarket car parks, for example, increasing stormwater runoff carrying pollutants into urban streams.

However, there are opportunities for food retailers to make positive changes and reduce their environmental impact. By incentivising farmers to adopt more biodiversity-positive practices, such as integrated pest management, retailers can help reduce the use of environmentally damaging pesticides and fertilisers. Lowering nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions within food retail, distribution, and transportation can be achieved by shifting away from fossil fuels towards cleaner and more energy-efficient technologies.

Construction

The impact of construction on air quality varies depending on the scale, duration, and activities involved in a project. Large-scale construction projects, for example, can result in higher levels of pollution due to extended equipment usage and the release of pollutants during demolition and earthworks. Additionally, construction sites are often located in close proximity to homes, exposing residents to air pollutants and noise pollution.

To mitigate these negative impacts, implementing real-time air quality monitoring and adopting sustainable practices are crucial. Environmental management plans (EMPs) are essential to ensure construction projects follow sustainable practices and address dust, noise, emissions, waste management, and resource efficiency. Technologies such as irrigation and sprinkler systems, dust barriers, and air quality monitoring devices help manage dust and particulate matter, which are significant contributors to air pollution from construction sites.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more sustainable construction practices. Green building practices involve using environmentally friendly materials and design methods, which can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Incentives, education, and citizen participation also play a role in encouraging construction companies to adopt environmentally friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint.

Tech giants

The environmental impact of tech giants is a complex issue that has attracted growing attention and scrutiny in recent years. Tech companies contribute to climate change through their significant electricity usage, particularly for computer data centres, which often rely on coal, resulting in substantial carbon emissions. In 2023, Big Tech was responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, outpacing the aviation industry. This figure is projected to increase, with the technology sector's electricity consumption expected to rise by over 60% between 2020 and 2030.

Among the tech giants, Amazon stands out as the highest emitter of the "Big Five," producing 16.2 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Samsung, a major tech company, has the largest carbon footprint, emitting 20.1 million metric tons of CO2 per year. Per employee, Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC is the most polluting, with 209.4 metric tons of CO2 emitted per staff member.

The issue of e-waste also contributes to the environmental impact of tech giants. Europe alone has nearly 700 million old "hibernating" mobile phones, containing valuable non-renewable resources such as gold, silver, and cobalt. When electronic waste ends up in landfills, toxic substances like lead and mercury can contaminate soil and water, further exacerbating the problem.

However, it's worth noting that some tech giants have made commitments to transition to renewable energy. Seven out of ten ranked consumer electronics brands, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, have already achieved 100% renewable energy for their operations. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the industry's carbon footprint and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

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