Bronte Wells
Corporations are responsible for a significant proportion of global pollution and play an outsized role in driving climate change. A 2017 report by the Carbon Disclosure Project revealed that just 100 companies have been the source of 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988. Fossil fuel producers, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, and Total, are among the highest emitters, despite being aware of the impact of their activities on global warming. The fashion industry is the second-biggest industrial polluter, contributing 10% of global emissions, while the food and beverage industry also generates significant emissions. While companies have a crucial role in driving climate change, the solutions often revolve around consumer choice and individual actions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of companies responsible for majority of global emissions | 100 |
| Percentage of global emissions from these companies | 71% |
| Number of state-owned companies responsible for over half of global industrial emissions | 25 |
| Percentage of emissions from public investor-owned companies | 32% |
| Most polluting industry | Fossil fuels |
| Second most polluting industry | Fashion |
| Third most polluting industry | Food retail |
| Sector responsible for about one-fifth of GHG emissions | Transport |
| Sector emitting about 40% of global emissions | Construction |
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Fossil fuel companies
Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to pollution and climate change. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. In 2022, fossil fuel combustion accounted for about 74% of total US anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation, electricity production, and industry are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuel companies have been criticised for their role in pollution and climate change, with campaigns calling for a ban on fossil fuel advertising to raise awareness about the true environmental and health impacts of their products.
The use of fossil fuels has led to significant air pollution, releasing hazardous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury. These pollutants have harmful effects on both the environment and human health, causing issues such as acid rain, eutrophication, crop damage, and increased health risks, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is linked to one in five deaths, with communities of colour and low-income communities disproportionately impacted.
In addition to air pollution, fossil fuels contribute to water pollution through oil spills and fracking fluids. Fracking, a controversial extraction method, uses large amounts of water and chemicals, generating toxic wastewater that can contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources. Plastic pollution is another concern, as over 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, with 300 million tons of plastic waste produced globally each year, significantly impacting wildlife and the food chain.
The combustion of fossil fuels has resulted in global warming, leading to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, species extinction, food scarcity, and adverse health impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming, and urgent action is needed to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Fossil fuel companies risk wasting trillions by continuing to invest in coal, oil, and gas projects, posing threats to both the environment and investor returns.
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Fashion industry
The fashion industry is a major contributor to environmental pollution, with fast fashion companies being some of the biggest offenders. The term "fast fashion" was first used to describe companies like Zara, which aim to quickly move garments from the design stage to being sold in stores within a short period, often at the expense of environmental sustainability and ethical labour practices.
Fast fashion companies put out new styles at a rapid pace, leading to a significant increase in clothing consumption and, consequently, textile production. This has resulted in a growing throwaway culture, with an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste generated globally each year, expected to rise to 134 million tonnes by 2030. The industry's manufacturing processes contribute to around 10% of global carbon emissions, and it is responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution.
The use of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon, and elastane, is a significant concern. These materials cannot be recycled or biodegraded, leading to plastic and microfibre pollution. The washing of synthetic textiles contributes to 35% of microplastics in the ocean. Additionally, the dyeing and finishing processes in clothing production require large amounts of water, impacting countries with already scarce water resources, such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
Some of the well-known fast fashion companies contributing to these issues include Shein, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Zara, H&M, and Primark. These companies have been criticised for labour rights violations, underpaying workers, and failing to address their environmental impact.
To combat these issues, consumers are advised to reduce their consumption of fast fashion and support sustainable practices, such as recommerce, slow fashion, recycling, and upcycling. Organisations like the World Resources Institute encourage companies to design and invest in business models that reuse clothes and extend their useful lives.
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Food retail
The food industry is a major contributor to pollution, with agriculture being a significant driver of climate change. According to a University of Minnesota study, the global food system is a large contributor to harmful emissions, including fine particulate matter PM2.5, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other organic compounds. These emissions have been linked to approximately 890,000 premature deaths annually.
Plastic pollution is a highly visible issue in food retail. Plastic packaging, designed for single-use and then discarded, is prevalent in grocery businesses, especially in the UK. Plastic waste contaminates the soil and water sources, with plastics accounting for 80% of marine debris, posing lethal threats to marine life. Retail facilities, such as supermarket car parks, also contribute to pollution by increasing stormwater runoff, leading to higher levels of nitrogen, heavy metals, and sediment in urban streams.
Additionally, the food industry is responsible for a significant amount of ocean plastic pollution, with takeaway food and drink containers being a primary source. Processed foods require more packaging than fresh alternatives, contributing significantly to waste. Plastic packaging on fresh produce, such as strawberries, has also been found to accelerate food spoilage, trapping moisture within containers.
The top ten food and beverage companies, including Associated British Foods, Coca-Cola, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever, produce 263.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions combined, according to Oxfam. This amount surpasses the emissions of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway combined.
However, there is potential for positive change. By encouraging sustainable alternatives, suppliers and retailers can positively influence agricultural practices. For example, by incentivizing farmers to adopt integrated pest management, the use of environmentally damaging pesticides and fertilizers can be reduced. Organizations like CleanHub are working with food and beverage brands to reduce their plastic footprint and promote sustainable practices.
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Transport
The transport sector's heavy reliance on polluting internal combustion engines (ICEs) has led to significant health and environmental consequences. The burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm and resulting in climate change. The health effects of transport emissions are also concerning, with links to adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes and increased illness and deaths from air pollution, including nitrous oxides and particulates.
Aviation, despite often being a key focus of discussions on climate action, accounts for only 11.6% of transport emissions. However, it is important to note that domestic flights have higher CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer than short-haul international flights, and long-haul flights have the lowest emissions per passenger-kilometer. Rail travel and freight emit very little, contributing only 1% of transport emissions. Electric trains are more environmentally friendly than diesel-driven engines, as pollution occurs at power plants, which are more efficient.
To reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector, various strategies can be implemented. These include the use of low-carbon fuels, improved vehicle technologies, reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled, and operating vehicles more efficiently. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol or diesel cars, even in countries with a high-carbon electricity mix. Car-sharing and transitioning to electric or human-powered transport can also help reduce emissions and local air pollution.
While transport emissions vary by region, developing regions have seen faster growth in emissions due to increasing incomes and car ownership. China, for example, has witnessed emissions from the transport sector more than triple since the early 2000s. The United States remains the biggest carbon polluter in the sector, with road vehicles producing 12% of total global GHG emissions in 2021.
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Construction
Air pollution from construction sites is a significant issue, with contaminants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), asbestos fibres, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere. These pollutants can have serious health consequences, including respiratory problems and, in the case of VOCs and asbestos, an increased risk of cancer. Diesel engines, commonly used in construction machinery and vehicles, are a major contributor to air pollution, releasing harmful emissions and exacerbating climate change.
Water pollution is another concern, with surface water runoff and groundwater near construction sites becoming contaminated by various materials, including VOCs, paints, glues, diesel, oils, toxic chemicals, and cement. This can affect the quality of water sources for both humans and animals, leading to indirect health impacts through indoor air quality degradation. Soil pollution occurs when construction contaminants are deposited onto the soil through air or water runoff, with some pollutants, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), persisting in the soil for extended periods.
Noise pollution is also associated with construction work, and while modern preventive measures can reduce noise levels, it can still have adverse health effects, including stress, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and hearing loss.
Liquid waste pollution is a significant issue in the construction industry, with large volumes of water used to clean tools and discharged into local watersheds, containing microplastics, PFAS, titanium dioxide, dyes, and various chemicals and toxins.
To mitigate these impacts, various strategies can be employed, including implementing sustainable construction practices, using sustainable and pollutant-free building materials, adopting technology solutions, and improving energy efficiency. Regulatory bodies and citizens also play a crucial role in enforcing and encouraging environmentally friendly construction practices, respectively.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a study, 100 fossil fuel companies have been responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988.
The fossil fuels sector is the most polluting in the world, with emissions continuing to increase. The fashion industry is the second-biggest industrial polluter, responsible for 10% of global emissions. Food retail is another major polluter, with most of its emissions coming from food and plastic waste.
It's difficult to attribute a specific amount of pollution to individual companies, as emissions depend on various factors, including the entire life cycle of a product. However, some companies, such as P&G and Kimberly-Clark, have been criticized for underestimating their emissions and lacking transparency in their reporting.
Companies contribute to pollution through their production processes, the use of their products, and the eventual disposal of those products. Many companies prioritize short-term profitability over reducing emissions, and some have actively blocked measures to cut emissions.
Companies can reduce their pollution by transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving transparency in emissions reporting, and setting meaningful greenhouse gas reduction targets that consider the entire life cycle of their products.
