There has never been a greater need for climate action and innovation.
The launch of Canada’s first national climate adaption strategy in June 2023 took place amid an unprecedented volume of extreme weather events over recent years. These events had almost disastrous impact on the communities and economies in which they occurred, including Hurricane Fiona in the Atlantic Provinces, the ‘atmospheric river’ of rain producing record-breaking floods in British Columbia, the heat dome in British Columbia and the historic wildfires across numerous provinces this past summer.
As the effect of climate change becomes increasingly prominent, a UN climate report highlights that the world is firmly on track towards an unlivable future and people are more concerned now than ever before about how this will affect them and their loved ones and are looking to companies to invest in climate innovation. And Canadians agree.
Concern for climate on the rise
The 3M State of Science Index (SOSI) study reveals that concern about the consequences of climate change has been on the rise in Canada, as nearly two-thirds (65%) of Canadians are more concerned about the effects of climate change than they were one year ago (up from 57% in 2021). In 2023, more than 9-in-10 Canadians (92%) are concerned about the effects of climate change, though 90 per cent believe that science can help minimize these effects. Most Canadians (88%) agree that companies need to be the ones to accelerate the development and adoption of technologies and innovations that address climate change.
As we approach this challenge, the need for urgency and to ground solutions in science are the necessary priorities to ensure long-term impact and effectiveness on the climate. From a corporate perspective, sustainability goals and commitments must be stated, acted upon and tracked, showing how science and technology can positively impact lives around the world.
At 3M, we believe we have a responsibility to share our expertise and accelerate science-based solutions to tackle some of the most pressing opportunities in climate change, such as decarbonization, renewable energy, electrification, energy efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable infrastructure.
Actions 3M is taking to tackle climate change
Paving the way to a low-carbon economy, 3M Canada recently joined the Net-Zero Challenge, supporting the Government of Canada, and affirming our commitment to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
In February 2021, 3M announced it will be investing approximately $1 billion during the next 20 years to accelerate new environmental goals: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce water use by 25 per cent at its facilities, and return higher quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations.
By applying science and technological expertise, 3M also expects to further reduce carbon emissions, aiming for a 50 per cent reduction by 2030, an 80 per cent reduction by 2040, and 100 per cent carbon neutrality in its operations by 2050.
And through 3M products and solutions, 3M is helping customers avoid more than 75 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, targeting the avoidance of 250 million tons by 2025 —ultimately helping to reduce 3M’s Scope 3 emissions. The company’s science-based innovation and corporate purpose provides a foundation of success and a path to reimagine what’s possible for our planet.
By unlocking the power of people, ideas, and science and given 3M’s significant global reach across industries, the company is well positioned to continue driving positive impact on climate change and lead the exploration of new and innovative solutions.
