The Heat is On

摘要

The heat is on. The climate debate has now well and truly moved beyond the question of whether climate change is happening or not. Science continues to address the inherent uncertainties of the field and challenge the limits of our knowledge, but societal opinion and perceptions have firmly shifted. No longer are we asking whether there should be limitations on emissions, but when and how. Such limitations, whatever form they take, will impact business by imposing costs or necessitating emission reductions. Climate change, in short, has become a business reality, to which companies must react.rnAs a consequence, business executives are asking themselves question such as: How should my company prepare for a carbon-constrained world? Do I know how much CO_2 my company emits to make the products it depends upon? Do I know how much CO_2 was emitted to produce the raw materials I buy? What is my total financial exposure once CO_2 is fully priced in? And how does my company stack up against others, fulfilling customer demands and requirements?