Climate Change Regulations Impact European Businesses

June 26, 2009

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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.

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