The New Business Climate — A Guide to Lower Carbon Emissions and Better Business Performance

Global climate change and the potential cost of limits on CO2 emissions pose risks to business performance and asset values — while on the other hand, these concerns also present new business opportunities for pro-active companies. Profitable “no-regrets” energy-efficiency improvements are widely available today, and longer-term investments in clean-energy technology promise to be increasingly attractive. Meanwhile, flexible regulation and careful use of the emerging carbon markets can help manage costs. These and other opportunities can be captured by responding to the challenge of climate change in a way that stimulates innovation and improves business practices.

This document provides a basic understanding of climate science and policy, and it identifies strategic options for both reducing CO2 emissions and positioning a business to thrive in a carbon-constrained world. Includes detailed case studies from well-known companies.