Summary
The threat of impending climate change always used to be a distant scare story, in today’s world however; it is a very real problem. In 2005, the Kyoto protocol became the first global, legally binding, contract to reduce greenhouse gases and limit the impacts of climate change. The effects of this legislation will have a continual impact throughout all areas of life, and will have a significant effect on the way business is run over the next 30-50 years.
Environment Management Report: focus on climate change gives a detailed insight into what climate change actually is, and explains the related policies in real terms. The report analyses what effect these policies will have on businesses and shows what steps can be taken to stay in line with the legislation. Examples are taken from leading businesses in order to give ideas of how to develop an action plan to help manage the impact of climate change on your business. The author also looks at the potential business benefits of climate change and how to use the policies to your advantage.
This publication will be an invaluable tool to those companies wishing to get ahead of the game on an issue that will inevitably affect everyone. This report will allow companies to assess the potential affects of climate change on their business, and utilize this knowledge to help ensure that they are prepared for the future. Ignoring this issue now could, in years to come, prove to be a costly mistake.
About the author
Jan Vernon is Director of Business Development at environmental consultancy Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd. Her work has focused on the business impacts of environmental policy, and she has advised a range of companies on the identification, management and reporting of environmental risks.
Contents
Executive Summary
- What is climate change and why should business be concerned?
The impacts of climate change
International agreements to combat global warming
Managing climate change: tactics and strategies
- How will climate change policies affect business?
Greenhouse gas emissions
Policy measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions
The regulatory approach
Emissions trading
How will the measures affect business costs and operations?
- Taking action: learning from leading companies
Analysing the potential to reduce emissions and setting goals
Developing a strategy to deliver the goals
Training and involving staff
Monitoring and reporting on progress
Investigating the potential for emissions trading
Realising business benefits from climate change
- Integrating climate change into management systems
The starting point
Step by step: planning, doing, checking, reviewing
Life cycle analysis
Eco-labelling
- Summary and Conclusions
Looking to the Future
Appendix 1: International agreements on climate change
Appendix 2: Sources of further information