A Glimpse Into Future Sustainability Trends and Flying Cars
Flying cars, yes, you read that correctly. The year 2024 will be the year of solutions. The field of sustainability is rapidly transforming allowing for more action-based progress. Carbon emissions must peak before 2025 to keep global temperatures under 1.5C. To achieve our 2050 goal of a net-zero emissions economy, this year is pivotal for regulations, transparencies, renewables, and technology.
Game changing regulations on state, national, and global levels will be implemented shifting the corporation mindset to consider the role of nature and biodiversity. The new requirements will have companies adopting decarbonization pathways and transition plans enhancing revenues. New rules in the United States and European Union (EU) will create the opportunity for businesses to overhaul business models. Here are some of the 2024 regulations on the horizon:
- CSRD law (EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) – January 1, 2024, the law came into force requiring large companies operating in EU to report climate impact. The reports will be published at the beginning of 2025.
- SEC 2024 Disclosure (The Securities and Exchange Commission) – the rule would standardize climate disclosure requirements provided by public companies obligating climate disclosures in registration statements and reports.
- GPT (Global Plastics Treaty) – the United Nations will go into the fourth meeting of a five-part session in April 2024 working towards a legal binding international treaty to end plastic pollution.
- VCMDA (Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures Act) – California’s new anti-greenwashing law came into effect on January1, 2024.
Transparency of carbon emissions and the use Artificial Intelligence will be key to sustainability progress in 2024. With new regulations and policies, the increased demand by stakeholders and consumers transparent reporting is imperative. Building trust enhances the credibility of businesses, bringing more investors. Consumers are demanding more clear accessible information about brand sustainability efforts. Embracing AI for data management software can reduce emissions, optimize resource use, and drive collaboration. Advancement in tech can increase sustainability in energy, transportation, and agriculture.
- Renewable energy will be easier to calculate with AI algorithms allowing energy providers knowledge of availability. Tech can potentially reduce 10% of global energy usage.
- Energy powered transportation-sky based clean transportation can reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Flying cars will be ready to transport in 2024. Cities are already working on managing regulations for air vehicles.
- Economics of Agriculture-AI will be able to minimize food systems environmental impact while improving efficiency. AI data driven insights will help with weather predictions and crop health.
Human health risks related to heightened temperatures, extreme weather, and the spread of infectious diseases will attract greater attention by governments due to the financial costs. Recycling education, promoting responsible habits and public awareness will be a necessity as our landfills overflow. Reduction in packing and increased efforts to reduce and reuse products. Sustainable fashion will see an increase in biodegradable and recycled materials, such as bamboo, hemp, cork, and cotton. Remote work will be highlighted with recent studies predicting by 2028, 73% of all workers will be working from home reducing emissions by 600,000 cars.
Just a peek into 2024’s potential game changing trends brings hope to the 2050 climate goals. High hopes my packages will be delivered by an electric flying car before the end of the year.
