Over 150 world leaders are locked in delicate climate negotiations in Paris, the culmination of a nearly 25-year diplomatic effort to stop global warming. The challenges these leaders face should not be underestimated. But as they work to achieve a meaningful agreement in the second and final week of negotiations, it’s important to recognize that governments alone cannot secure the health of our planet. Even if a meaningful agreement is reached in Paris, we all have a role to play in reducing CO2 emissions— governments, to be sure, but also corporations, nonprofits, foundations and everyday citizens.

As the Chief Sustainability Officer of Tiffany & Co. and the Chairman and President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, I have seen how many different stakeholders, and a cross-sector approach, can lead to concrete action on climate change. Corporations must lead by example. To that end, I am pleased to share that Tiffany & Co. has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050, joining other leading companies in setting long-term climate change goals – and asking world leaders to do the same.

Our net-zero commitment is being spearheaded across all our 305 stores in 27 countries. We’ve launched a global initiative to replace energy-intensive lights in retail displays with efficient LED lights. By the end of this year, over 65 Tiffany & Co. retail shops will be using LED overhead lighting exclusively. We are not waiting until 2050- we know that, with climate change, time is of the essence. All these efforts are expressions of our core values and mission.

Tiffany & Co. has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050

For 15 years, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation has dedicated its work to creating a more sustainable planet. Specifically, one of our environmental program areas focuses on coral and marine conservation. Coral reefs are deeply impacted by climate change, which creates a domino effect on ocean ecosystems and the livelihoods of over 100 million people. The Foundation is supporting organizations working to create marine protected areas (MPAs)—akin to national parks on land—around the world and studying how corals and the oceans are adapting to climate change. This past year in particular has seen significant commitments made to create MPAs. These reserves allow marine ecosystems to regenerate and self-sustain without the direct threats of human impact. Countries from Chile to New Zealand to Palau and the United States have made significant strides to safeguard their surrounding seas, signifying an increased awareness and recognition of the importance of marine ecosystems to overall environmental health.

As negotiations in Paris come down to the wire, it’s important to remember that success rests on all of our shoulders. A broad coalition of stakeholders must get involved in order for the legacy of the COP21 talks to be a successful one. We need a multi-sector approach to ensure a reduction in emissions, a slowdown of global warming and a stop to climate change.