Managing the uncertainties of global climate change

The emerging issue of global climate change presents businesses with a unique set of challenges. At Foley Hoag, we help our clients work through these emerging issues in ways that will mutually benefit their organizations and the environment.

Global climate changes present both risks and opportunities, as global warming evolves and the issues crystallize, such as: 

  • The scientific case for global warming further matures 
  • Public awareness of this issue continues to grow and a domestic political consensus builds for addressing climate change 
  • International carbon emissions protocols are formalized, even without participation by the United States government

Those organizations remaining unresponsive to global climate change issues risk damage to their reputations, corporate identities, customer loyalty and competitiveness. We help our clients make strategic decisions that are proactive and help protect their reputations.

Risk for U.S. operations is high

For U.S. companies, the business risk may be even greater than for other non-U.S. organizations, as non-governmental interest groups attempt to exert pressure on U.S. government policy through boycotts or other actions directed against domestic-based companies.

Global businesses with American operations will also face particularly challenging circumstances. They may be forced to operate according to different standards in the United States and abroad, where they will face carbon-constrained emissions regulations stemming from the Kyoto Protocol for their operations in many developed countries. This disparity could limit their ability to find the most cost-effective carbon reductions globally. In the United States, many companies may find it difficult to make long-range investments, without a better sense of the regulatory constraints imposed by carbon emissions reductions requirements.

Significant opportunities exist, however, for those companies who do not simply wait for a resolution of current policy uncertainties.

Foley Hoag offers assist clients with these difficult issues. By applying our experience, credibility and relationships, we help our clients manage this new universe of risks and help identify emerging opportunities from the climate-change challenge.

The services we offer our clients include: 

  • Developing global programs for addressing carbon emissions, including codes of conduct and public reporting on emissions. 
  • Representation before the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch to understand fast-paced policy developments, to secure maximum credit for voluntary domestic carbon emissions reduction efforts, and to provide maximum investment planning certainty. 
  • Exploration of carbon-emissions trading possibilities, to help find the most cost-effective, market-based emissions reductions; and to define early market-trading rules, including the structuring of international emissions-offset transactions. 
  • Enhanced partnerships with non-governmental organizations to demonstrate a commitment to addressing climate change.

Links

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/