Location-specific information is essential

Effective mitigation needs consideration of local conditions

When considering environmental impacts beyond greenhouse gas emissions, the importance of location-specific data becomes evident. A carbon atom has the same effect on the climate, no matter where it is released into the atmosphere. However, for most other environmental concerns, such as water stress, land use change, and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, this is not the case. For example, the same volume of groundwater extraction may be sustainable in one area but catastrophic in another. To understand their environmental impact and develop effective sustainability strategies, businesses must consider the specific conditions and ecological limits of each location they operate in. Adopting location-specific assessments will allow businesses to tailor sustainability efforts to local conditions, ensuring that impact mitigation strategies are meaningful and effective.