Next Week: Investor Summit on Climate Risk
On January 14th, the United Nations Headquarters in New York City will host the fourth Investor Summit on Climate Risk. Participants at the previous summits, held in 2003, 2005 and 2008, included institutional investors, fund managers, financial advisors and others from around the globe, representing trillions of dollars in assets.
The agenda includes speakers such as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Former Vice-President Al Gore, U.S. Climate Envoy Todd Stern and Media Executive/Philanthropist Ted Turner.
The list of investors expected at the Summit underscores how climate change, an environmental issue, is increasingly gaining traction as a business issue. For example, Texas Instruments, a microchip maker, is poised to profit from the shift to a low-carbon economy due to increased demand for its microchips, which are used in low-carbon technologies, such as photovoltaic solar panels, smart meters and energy efficient appliances. However, climate change also poses various risks for the company – a leading emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) – since it will likely be required to comply with potential regulation of GHG emissions in the near future. (Source: EENews – subscription required)
Sound business judgment requires a bifurcated response to climate change – companies must consider not only how climate change impacts its business; companies must also take into account how its own business practices contribute to climate change. Thus, climate change impacts corporate strategy, risk, opportunity, financial performance and shareholder value.
Please check back on January 14th for coverage from the floor of the 2010 Investor Summit on Climate Risk where these important issues will be discussed among leaders in the global economy.