Climate Change Regulations Impact European Businesses

June 26, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

U.K.-based GHK Consulting, hired by the European Commission, has reviewed 15 companies, including Enel, Cadbury, Marks and Spencer, Carrefour, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, to examine how climate change and related policies have influenced them, according to the New York Times.

The companies have taken widespread measures to substitute high-energy-intensity goods and services with services that burn less energy, which are immediately impacting their suppliers.

The study also shows that climate change policies are driving a need for new skills and a general need for upskilling, which companies are attempting to meet by introducing new training programs. All companies reviewed, with the exception of energy companies, offer environmental training programs, with some offering specific training for packaging designers, airplane pilots, truck drivers or kiln operators.

James Medhurst, director at GHK Consulting told the NY Times that among these 15 companies it’s regulation that is pushing them to think about climate change and manage their business accordingly.

The Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), and the EU directive on renewable energies are the strongest regulatory drivers, but other factors like reputation, corporate social responsibility and competitiveness also impact a company’s response to the climate change, and vary according to sectors.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader