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EIRIS
Global responsible investment specialists EIRIS today released research into some of the worlds largest 300 companies to examine how well they are responding to climate change challenges.
Focussing on the 300 largest cap global companies listed on the FTSE All World Index, The state were in: global corporate response to climate change and the implications for investors analyses the current state of corporate response to climate change, highlights the key challenges this presents and examines the implications for investors.
Key findings include:
* Many large cap companies at risk – Over a third (35.6%) of companies in the global 300 are assessed as high or very high impact for climate change – representing over USD 6.8 trillion market cap (climate change impact includes both direct and indirect carbon emissions).
* High risk companies have taken initial steps – but translation into coherent climate change strategy is less apparent. 84% of high risk companies have a corporate-wide commitment to climate change. But only 14% link board remuneration to climate change strategies. And only 25% publish a long-term strategic target to reduce emissions. Targets are an important indicator of a company’s true commitment to reducing its climate change impact.
* Unreliable emissions disclosure – 81% disclose either absolute or normalised data, but only 9% disclose the scope of their emissions against the Green House Gas Protocol *. A lack of consistent and comparable emissions data presents challenges to investors.
In support of EIRIS research on Climate Change, Phil Woolas MP, Minister of State for the Environment, said: The transition to a low-carbon economy will require the biggest restructuring in how we live and work since the industrial revolution. It is an immense challenge and all of us; government, business, investors, civil society, and individuals have a major part to play. The City has a powerful role in meeting this challenge as investors and analysts, Climate Change is arguably the biggest environmental risk management challenge facing many of the corporations in which you invest.
Stephanie Maier, Head of research at EIRIS said: Climate change poses considerable financial risks and opportunities for investors. To protect shareholder value, investors should identify the risks in their portfolio, factor in the impacts of carbon and engage with companies and the wider policy debate to achieve the step change and robust policy framework thats required.
