9
MOVING THE DIAL
Despite the many unknowns, Douglas argued that there are “knowns” that businesses can and must respond to: the most obvious being the very fact that global warming is happening and how quickly. “ The most predictable business and political risk we face is climate change, ” he said, explaining that despite our efforts, there’s a lag on global warming just as there is when you turn up the thermostat in a house. “ The laws of physics reign supreme. By 2050 [the target date for net zero in the UK] we’ll have stopped turning the thermostat up, but we won’t have turned it down, ” he reminded delegates. To help businesses plan for such “predictable” risks, Schofield pointed to the usefulness of data sources like the Met Office which can forecast, for instance, the likely impact of a 4˚ temperature rise on operations in Bangladesh. The event closed on an optimistic note: that ultimately we will create an economy that can thrive in a low-carbon environment. Getting there presents an enormous challenge, but plenty of commercial opportunities will be created along the way. Dean Carrigan summed it up like this: “ While there is certainly much to be done, there is also a lot of scope to move the dial on this issue. ” Forewarned is forearmed, and delegates left the event with plenty to think about.
For more information on the issues raised here, please contact:
Chapter Zero Julie Baddeley E admin@chapterzero.org.uk
Willis Towers Watson
Nick Dunlop; Rowan Douglas; Richard Baudin E nick.dunlop@willistowerswatson.com E rowan.douglas@willistowerswatson.com E richard.baudin@willistowerswatson.com
Clyde & Co
Nigel Brook , or our Resilience hub E nigel.brook@clydeco.com
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