Sonae Sierra is one of the 155 companies that have signed a statement, convened by the Science Based Targets initiative, the United Nations Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition, urging governments all over the world to integrate climate action in the economic recovery plans following Covid-19.
With this statement, these companies are reaffirming that their own decisions and actions remain grounded in science, while calling on governments to adopt sustainability policies and targets in order to reduce vulnerability to future shocks and disasters, create good jobs, and reduce emissions.
As pointed out by the Science Based Targets initiative, “with the coronavirus we are facing a global pandemic that is devastating for persons and for their livelihood, since it interrupts supply chains, intensifies inequalities and reverses the progress of the Sustainable Development Objectives.” And at the same time, “we continue to face a global climate emergency with irreversible impact on persons and all-natural systems.”
With the objective of achieving a Better Future, one that is more sustainable and more respectful of persons and our environment, the statement invites companies and governments to work together to carry out the following actions:
- Demonstrate that the best decisions and actions are based on science.
- Invest in recovery and resilience for a systemic socioeconomic transformation.
- Work with governments and enlarge the movement
For Fernando Guedes de Oliveira, CEO of Sonae Sierra, “The lockdown is projected to shrink global growth dramatically, putting a big number of companies in a survival mode and requiring strong and concerted efforts by everyone towards economic recovery. We are living in a context that challenges us in our purpose and ambition to contribute to solve the most relevant environmental and social challenges of today.
In Sonae Sierra those topics are being addressed for more than 20 years, with significant and measurable results. There is no doubt that our business has been affected by these critical times; but it is just as clear that our long-term commitment with the sustainability is as strong as ever. To secure our common future, we have to keep the ambitious goals.
