Large companies operating in the Czech Republic will strive for carbon neutrality and energy security in a new project called Rethink. Yesterday, 25 businesses signed a joint statement to launch the initiative. The launch of the project will be followed by todays innovation forum, which will take place at the French Institute in Prague.
The founders of the new initiative are České dráhy, Česká pošta, ČEZ group, Dopravní podnik Ostrava, as well as IKEA, Komerční banka, Metrostav and Škoda Auto. The project partners are the French Embassy in Prague, the French Institute in Prague, as well as the Ministries of Industry and Trade and the Environment.
The Czech Business Council for Sustainable Development (CBCSD) is also behind the creation of the initiative. Its operational director Ivo Gajdoš said that the project is intended to serve as an exchange of experience, sharing of good practice, as well as an open discussion on topics related to the reduction of emissions and climate protection. He reminded that member companies of the Czech Management Association have many solutions to mitigate climate change in their plans, which they can share.
Sustainability and responsible business conduct consultant Jonathan Wootliff said it was entrepreneurs who were driving change and calling on governments to do the same. According to him, the Czech Republic has the opportunity to become a center for sustainable development.
The European Commission previously adopted the so-called Green Deal or Green Agreement for Europe. The set of proposals is intended to adjust the policies of the member countries in climate issues, energy, transport and taxation so that they can participate in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent compared to 1990 by 2030.
At today’s launch of the Rethink project, the speakers also mentioned several times the need to ensure energy independence from Russia, which has become more urgent than before in connection with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Source: CTK
