The nice thing about climate change opinions (like information technology standards and ice cream flavours) is that there are so many to choose from.
Here’s another.
Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, has once again spoken out publically about the effects of climate change on his world — the world of big bucks, big investors and big corporations. He and his companion speakers took this stance on behalf of investors who wish to evaluate climate risk in their portfolios, and perhaps to shift capital away from higher risk, unsustainable fossil fuel investments.
Oddly, he almost seems to sound like the Pope and Naomi Klein in his suggestion that corporations and big investors will have to change significantly if we are to succeed with mitigating the effects of climate change. Mr. Carney believes investors should be prepared to ask corporations “What’s your strategy for ‘net zero'”, referring to a world where carbon emissions are cut to virtually zero. The strategy, he thinks (as do I), should include taking advantage of opportunities (i.e. clean energy) in a world in transition.
Pilita Clark, in the Financial Times, has summarised Mr. Carney’s remarks, along with others who apparently spoke with him. FT will not allow cut n’ paste quotes, and is paywalled. You may be able to read the article by going to FT.com and searching for “Carney”.
The Guardian has a slightly different focus, but contains this quote from one of Carney’s companion speakers.
Stephanie Pfeifer, chief executive of IIGCC, a European network of Institutional Investors with €13tn (£8.61tn) in assets, said: “Access to high-quality information can only help accelerate the reallocation of capital by investors in ways that will accelerate the low carbon transition. More consistent and reliable carbon disclosure will make it easier for investors to evaluate climate risk in their portfolios and understand where the opportunities in clean energy and other essential low carbon technology lie.”
