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Climate Action for Non-Environmental Brands
For decades, climate action has been treated like an exclusive club that is reserved for oil companies, energy giants, or environmental NGOs only.
The narrative has been that unless your brand drills oil, burns gas, or manages pipelines, you have no business talking about carbon or climate. But that mindset is outdated, and frankly, dangerous. The reality is that climate change affects everyone and every business, no matter the sector, contributes to the problem or the solution. Whether it’s a bank in Lagos, a telco in Abuja, or an FMCG brand in Aba, the climate story now belongs to everyone.
Nigeria is already living the consequences of climate change from the recurrent floods that displace families in Bayelsa and Kogi, to the creeping desertification swallowing farmland in Sokoto and Yobe. Even the unpredictable rains that disrupt factory operations or damage telecom towers are symptoms of the same crisis. This is not just an “environmental issue.” It’s an economic one, a supply chain issue, a community survival issue, and, ultimately, a business continuity issue. That’s why non-environmental brands those in finance, telecoms, manufacturing, logistics, and retail, must begin to see climate action as part of their corporate DNA.
Take Nigerian banks, for example. You may not see them drilling oil or emitting smoke, but they fund the businesses that do. This means they hold immense power in deciding whether the economy tilts toward sustainability or disaster. Access Bank, through its “Green Bond” and sustainability-linked financing, has shown that banks can lead climate-conscious investments. The bank has financed projects that promote renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, and energy efficiency. Other financial institutions like Sterling Bank and GTCO have followed suit, aligning their portfolios with Nigeria’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By financing green infrastructure, providing credit for renewable startups, or refusing to fund environmentally harmful ventures, banks can shape the nation’s climate future without ever planting a tree themselves.
Telecommunication companies, too, are often overlooked in climate discussions. Yet, the sheer energy they consume to power towers across Nigeria makes them key players. MTN Nigeria has begun transitioning some of its cell sites to solar power, reducing diesel consumption and carbon emissions. Airtel has also made strides in energy-efficient technologies. But beyond operations, telcos can use their platforms to educate millions of Nigerians about climate consciousness — from promoting recycling behavior through SMS campaigns to supporting eco-education initiatives in schools. Imagine if every Nigerian who received a message about a promo also got a tip about saving power or reducing waste, the impact would be enormous.
For fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, climate action should start from the packaging line. Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis is one of the most visible effects of unsustainable production and consumption. Brands like Nestlé, Nigerian Breweries, and Seven-Up Bottling Company are already investing in recycling programs and exploring biodegradable packaging alternatives. Through partnerships with recycling firms like Wecyclers and RecyclePoints, they are turning post-consumer waste into economic opportunity. When a beverage company redesigns its packaging to reduce plastic use or incorporates recycled materials, it’s not just protecting the planet, it’s demonstrating brand leadership in a country where sustainability is quickly becoming a mark of corporate sophistication.
The retail and hospitality sectors are not left out either. Hotels like Eko Hotels & Suites and Transcorp Hilton are gradually shifting towards energy-efficient lighting and water-saving systems. Supermarkets like Shoprite and Spar could introduce eco-friendly bag policies or encourage reusable shopping practices. These are simple but powerful actions that reduce a brand’s carbon footprint while setting an example for customers.
Even small businesses can participate. A fashion designer in Yaba who sources fabrics locally instead of importing them helps cut down the carbon footprint associated with shipping. A restaurant in Port Harcourt that composts its food waste or sources ingredients from nearby farms instead of distant suppliers is already practicing climate-smart business. Climate action doesn’t always mean installing solar panels or owning wind turbines — sometimes, it’s as simple as making everyday decisions that reduce waste, conserve energy, and support sustainable livelihoods.
And this brings us to one of the most overlooked truths: climate action isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about building resilience. Floods, droughts, and heatwaves already threaten supply chains, staff safety, and community stability. A brewery that invests in water recycling in Aba isn’t just saving the planet, it’s securing its production line against future water shortages. A logistics company that switches part of its fleet to electric vehicles isn’t just lowering emissions, it’s future-proofing itself against fuel price shocks and regulation.
In 2022, when devastating floods hit Nigeria, several non-environmental brands stepped up in ways that demonstrated what climate-sensitive corporate citizenship looks like. Guinness Nigeria, Dangote Foundation, and Airtel Foundation provided relief materials, temporary shelters, and rehabilitation support for displaced families. While these actions were humanitarian in the short term, they reflected a growing realization that disasters whether climate-induced or otherwise now form part of the corporate risk landscape.
So what can brands do today, even if they don’t consider themselves “environmental”? First, they can measure and report their environmental footprint energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and emissions. This forms the foundation for real climate accountability. Second, they can innovate for efficiency switching to renewable energy sources, digitizing operations to cut paper waste, or encouraging remote work to reduce commuting emissions. Third, they can collaborate joining sectoral alliances, partnering with recyclers, and supporting government or NGO-led climate initiatives. Finally, they can communicate, use their media, products, and platforms to inspire eco-conscious behavior among consumers.
In a sense, non-environmental brands may actually have more influence than traditional “green” companies because they touch millions of people every day. Imagine if every bank encouraged paperless transactions as a climate action message. Imagine if every telco used its network to promote climate-smart messages in local languages. Imagine if every FMCG brand proudly displayed its carbon reduction achievements on packaging. That’s how culture shifts — not from the few who know, but from the many who care.
For Nigeria to achieve its climate goals, especially its pledge to reach net-zero by 2060, every sector must see itself as a stakeholder. Whether you produce, distribute, finance, communicate, or serve, your business is part of the ecosystem that determines how the future looks.
So yes, climate action is NOT the job of NNPC alone. It belongs to GTCO, Airtel, Nestlé, Innoson, BUA, and even that small bakery in Asokoro that just decided to run its ovens on solar. It belongs to you. The question is no longer if your brand should act, it’s how soon you will. Because in a warming world, neutrality is not an option. Action is.