A changing climate for business
How will climate change affect the finances of Swedish companies? Are any of the companies’ factors for success strengthened by climate change? Are any of them negatively impacted? How can companies incorporate the climate issue into their business development in a structured manner?
Climate change should be integrated in companies’ business development. Risks should be managed and opportunities utilised, just like with other external factors that must be taken into consideration. Climate change will leave both winners and losers in its wake. According to a report from northeastern England, the business sector there can totally thrive in the face of climate change if they manage the risks and take advantage of the opportunities that the changes bring.
Purpose
The project has developed a method for describing direct and indirect, positive and negative financial consequences of climate change for the business sector in Sweden. The method has been applied to specific companies, particularly in the food sector in Skåne.
Development with companies
The project was conducted in close collaboration with a number of companies within the value chain for food. The participating companies got help in reviewing their factors for success and how they could be affected by climate change. They were invited to participate in conferences and workshops aimed at creating shared learning and provide a foundation of financial calculations of positive and negative consequences. They also received support in determining which type of actions or decisions can give the company a more climate-friendly business plan. The companies contributed to the project with their knowledge about their own company and own industry.
The project is funded by:
- Skåne County Administrative Board
- Region Skåne Environmental Fund
- Utvecklingsstiftelse Sparbanken 1826
- Tyréns AB
- Swedish Board of Agriculture
We collaborated with the Mistra-SWECIA research programme, which includes researchers from Lund University and Stockholm Environment Institute. The project owner is Krinova, which was responsible for project implementation.