The eyes of the world will be on Copenhagen this December. What kind of climate deal will be reached - sustainable blueprint for a green economy, limited agreement or ineffective fudge? 
 
Tomorrow's Climate - Beyond Peak Carbon looks at key questions for the business community in the run-up to Copenhagen and beyond - as well as modelling some of the potential costs and setting out the opportunities of moving to a low-carbon economy.
 
Climate change appears to be declining as a priority for business leaders at the same time as politicians are readying themselves to take the most decisive action ever to combat global warming. It looks increasingly that it is now a matter of when, not if, massive impacts are felt in the corporate world. We ask, firstly, if companies are prepared for the scale of the energy revolution in prospect. 

 

Second, the report highlights the disconnect that exists between science, policy and action. At present there can be a lag of up to 10 years between scientific findings and the action taken in response. Scientists warning that radical action is needed now are part of a system that makes immediate response impossible. We ask whether the system should be updated to take more account of emerging risks of runaway climate change as well as the widely accepted evidence of global warming - and if so, whether business should be proactive in driving reform?
 
Thirdly, the report looks at the climate-related opportunities for business.  We can expect a robust carbon price, new incentives for reducing emissions and new penalties for continuing to burn fossil fuels and destroy forests. New business models will be needed to create the step change in how we live and work in the low-carbon world of the future. So what policy frameworks should business work with government to prioritise, so that business can play its full role in building tomorrow's green and clean economy? 
 
Finally we look at how carbon dioxide prices may respond under different scenarios, drawing on an analysis by the Z/Yen group - and ask what might the transition to the low-carbon world cost?

 

The full report can be read here, blogs here and further resources can be found here.

 

All feedback is both encouraged and welcomed, either by posting your reaction on the site or directly to tony@tomorrowscompany.com.

 

Tony Manwaring

 

Chief Executive

 

Tomorrow's Company.