Environmental problems are combining with global population growth to create shortages in food, energy and water – our most fundamental commodities.
In 2008, the world had a taste of resource constraints – oil priced at $147 a barrel and sharp increases in the price of many foodstuffs. Since then, prices have dropped sharply. While this has eased pressure in some areas, the volatility of prices is bad for businesses everywhere, particularly small farmers in emerging markets.
Knowing what environmental changes will occur and how to deal with them is crucial for banks and their customers. In a recent report on Banking and Climate Change by Swiss group Sustainable Asset Management, Matthias Kopp of the environmental group WWF says: “Growing global environmental and social challenges are posing future risks of dramatic magnitude and consequence. These risks are of material significance for financial markets, especially in a resource-constrained world.”
See full Article.
Posts
