Business climate

Purpose – To discuss some of the actions investors and businesses are taking against climate change. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments. Findings – The International Energy Agency's chief economist Fatih Birol probably summed up a lot of people's attitudes towards climate change recently when he said: “We need to act. We are putting [together] a lot of targets, a lot of goals, meetings and so on, but nothing is happening. We want more action, instead of more targets, more meetings and more talks … right away, and in a bold manner.” There are surely few people left in the developed world who are not now aware that both the energy system and the environment are overheated and under threat. But what can we do about it? Or, more pertinently, what is already being done and how is the business world affected? Practical implications – Offers an overview of current investment in energy. Discusses fast rise in alternative energy resources, including nuclear, solar and wind power. Originality/value – Explains how big businesses are now taking climate change very seriously, and shows which countries are investing in which alternative areas.