MODERN BUSINESS
creating a climate that will, within
only a few decades, significantly
impact the way we live.
On whatever scale it happens
there is no doubt that the changing
climate will have a deep impact
to business: how we work and
what we can make. Making your
business adaptable and knowing
how to adapt in the face of a
changing climate is the focus
of a new book aimed at helping
businesses plan ahead to capture
and preserve value.
It took over 25 years and changes
to refrigeration, spray can and
other systems to start decreasing
the size of the hole in the ozone
layer after the Montreal Protocol
was signed. Tackling climate
change is a much more daunting
challenge, affecting a vast range
of products, services and touching
almost every company.
So what can businesses do? Some
of the impacts being predicted by
scientists include disruption to
global food and water supplies,
collapse of ecosystems, a
range of new health challenges,
displacement of populations and
massive urban infrastructure
challenges. Miami Beach just
spent $400 million raising and
installing storm water pumps to
protect the iconic but low-lying
Alton Road.
Increased public awareness
about the true cost of a high
consumption lifestyle will drive a
backlash. Industries that continue
to produce products and services
that consume and don’t contribute
to our environment will probably
need to change voluntarily or
have change imposed on them by
government action such as limiting
licenses to operate, or imposing
higher operating costs.
But what needs to change and
how does a business innovate?
The knowledge of knowing what
is coming allows us to adapt and
change before it’s too late.
David McEwen is a Director at strategic
consultancy Adaptive Capability and
author of Navigating the Adaptive
Economy: Managing Business Risk
and Opportunity in a Changing
Climate. Find out more at www.
adaptivecapability.com
November 2016
ModernBusiness
31