Climate Risks, Corporate Action & Green Finance

The recent “bomb cyclone” which caused historic low temperatures in the US is a clear reminder that as we step into 2018, addressing climate and water risks must be on the top of our new year’s resolutions. So, this January we review topics that urgently need our attention and action that we can build on. A recent World Bank report shows just how impactful droughts are with economic costs up to 4 times that of floods. We sat down with one of its authors, Damania, to find out more. In China, droughts and floods in 2016 resulted in 44 million tonnes of crop failure. Check out our 5 facts. As for business, it’s a positive start to the year with CDP’s Lamb sharing key findings from their 2017 Global Water Report. Then, we hear from ITP’s Hughes on their recently announced vision and goals for 2030 and their alignment with the SDGs. On the investor front, see Dr Guo of SynTao Green Finance key takeaways from the 5th China SIF conference. However, Professor Asit and Hartley caution us that infrastructure investments often have overstated economic benefits. China is starting 2018 on the right foot with both the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law and the new Environmental Protection Tax Law in force as of the first of January. Let this inspire us to be as ambitious in our actions this year.