This article, by James Palmer and Prof. Michael Mainelli and part of the London Accord, is intended to provide an illustration of the application of portfolio modelling to climate change investment. For more information go to www.london-accord.co.uk

A parable that contrasts the leadership styles of two CEOs:  one operating in the old business paradigm; the other embracing the new business paradigm, in which success is inextricably tied to the success of business stakeholders.  It is based on a new, proactive business model that works better in the 21st century than the old-world, protectionist, risk management formula, because it turns business networks into aligned and consensual communities that get things done faster and better.  It balances traditional defensive, risk management practices with new, offensive, Trust Enablement approaches to business.

As part of the Centre for Social Markets’ Climate Challenge India Initiative, this paper looks at the state of renewable energy in India.  The challenges faced by India, projected by the International Energy Agency to be the world’s 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases by 2015, are fairly daunting.  Although this means there are many opportunities as well. The Centre for Social Markets (CSM) is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to making markets work for the triple bottom line – people, planet and profits.

(Washington, February 9, 2009) – Over 50 of the world’s leading scientists, China experts, political and business leaders recommend immediate action to create a new, groundbreaking collaboration with China to address the urgent issue of climate change.  In a report released today by Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, these leading figures provide the Obama administration a new policy roadmap for immediate action with China.

The researchers from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy conclude that about US$400 billion should be spent worldwide on ‘green’ policies and investments which also help economic recovery and lay the foundations of sustainable low-carbon growth. The report, ‘An outline of the case for a ‘green’ stimulus’, points out that this sum represents about 20 per cent of the US$2 trillion, or 4 per cent of global gross domestic product, that governments might spend in the next 18 months on fiscal stimulus packages to lessen the economic downturn.