Sustainable entrepreneurship in times of climate crisis
In recent years, the global community has been confronted with the challenge of major natural disasters brought on by the climate crisis. In fact, areas all over the planet are suffering the consequences of wildfires, cyclones or floods brought on by global warming and rising sea levels. As a result, the state crisis management systems and local government institutions are facing a daunting task as they are striving to respond to the ever more demanding conditions.
At this crucial juncture, large enterprises play a leading role by supporting the affected communities through corporate social responsibility initiatives. In this manner they actively participate in public life, promote environmental sustainability and stand in solidarity with local societies.
Every act of solidarity counts
In any natural disaster, volunteering plays a huge part in alleviating the consequences and restoring social cohesion. Volunteer firefighters putting their lives at risk; ordinary people embracing their fellow men and women who are suffering; organizations collecting basic necessities; professionals offering their services for free – everyone can be part of the solution, proving that solidarity is our biggest strength.
On their part, large corporations are able to strategically integrate social responsibility at the core of their culture and operation. By capitalizing on their know-how and innovation, they can take the lead to ensure long-term commitment to society and shape a fairer social paradigm.
Moreover, collaboration among businesses and public institutions in response to natural disasters strengthens government policies and creates a broader ecosystem, guided by the common vision of sustainable development.
In the footsteps of global enterprises
On a global level, giants of the business world have turned social responsibility into a driving force for fostering innovation and forging alliances with public institutions. For example, Microsoft offers AI-based natural disaster response programs to the Red Cross and other organizations, Google develops AI systems to predict floods in vulnerable countries such as India and Bangladesh, while Coca Cola teams up with local NGOs to restore water resources and strengthen infrastructure in the wake of natural disasters.
These initiatives prove that large corporations are strategically investing in solutions that address real social and environmental needs, reinforcing public welfare provision.
Fires in Attica: Penteli in distress
Over recent years, Greece has been dealing with an intensifying cycle of natural disasters, with forest fires being the most common and devastating ones. In Attica alone, from 2017 to August 2024, more than 170,000 acres of forestland have been burned, a number corresponding to 37% of Attica’s forests.
The summer 2024 wildfires were among the most extensive in the prefecture. On August 11, 2024, one of the largest wildfires broke out in northeastern Attica, causing devastation in Penteli. According to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, the fire burned 21,237 acres. Out of those, 670 acres were within the Municipal Community of Nea Penteli and over 2,965 acres within the Municipal Community of Penteli.
LAMDA Development: Caring means taking action
At LAMDA Development, we did not stand by in the face of the disaster in Penteli. We chose to take action and launch a series of initiatives aimed at improving the daily lives of local residents and mitigating future risks.
In partnership with the Municipality, we:
- Installed a 280-meter-long protective railing along the Panagouli stream; a beautiful green area that was turned into a hazardous, steep spot because of the fire. The railing protects the residents, visitors and mostly children from falling into the stream.
- Reforested 6.7 acres of burned land at the Panagouli stream slope and the Agios Nikolaos grove, next to the Krystalleio Primary School of Penteli. We chose slow-burning trees, meaning that aside from restoring the landscape, we enhanced its fire resistance in the face of potential future crises. Students from the Krystalleio Primary School along with their teachers participated in the reforestation action, bringing on excitement and hope.
- Installed 18 new air-conditioning units at the Nea Penteli Junior and Senior High School, in an effort to make the learning environment more comfortable for students and teachers alike.
LAMDA Development proves once more that responsibility means taking action. Entrepreneurship can be an integral part of social resilience and each social responsibility initiative can become the spark for a better future.