Business

Climate change is an issue of concern for all UK business, through exposure to the direct risks of physical impacts and to indirect risks created by climate change legislation.

UKCIP's work with business aims to help organisations assess the risks to their operations, from the physical impacts of climate change, so that they can manage these risks successfully.

The trend for drier, warmer summers; milder, wetter winters; and more extreme weather events detailed in the UKCIP02 climate change scenarios will affect almost every aspect of business. However, the likely level of risk and most effective response for individual businesses is generally poorly understood.

How will the expected changes in climate affect the operations of your business? What shifts will there be in the pattern of demand for your products? Are your raw materials going to be as abundant? Will climatic changes affect the comfort of your employees and customers?

Some impacts will be felt across all business sectors, such as the potential for disruption to distribution networks. Specific sectors may also see their markets changing, with new opportunities emerging as well as threats to traditional markets.

Forward planning making use of the latest scientific information and climate change scenarios can minimise the threats maximise the opportunities created by a changing climate. UKCIP can help businesses to assess their vulnerability to climate change and to prepare to adapt.