HERE’s your starter for ten, as Mr Paxman would say. Does climate change present a threat or an opportunity for business? Tricky one, no? Well, not if you’re Stavros Dimas, the EU Commissioner for the Environment, writing in European Business Forum (Winter). Business leaders, he suggests, are being aroused by the seductive smell of fat wads of cash. They see that “the transition to a low-carbon economy opens up a huge, lucrative global market for clean technologies and products”. Ker-ching. Ten points.

Also in with the right answer is Honda, one of the first companies “to turn environmentalism into a competitive advantage”, according to Time (Jan 15). Toyota, too, has taken green by the horns and is poised to become the world’s leading car manufacturer, thanks in part to the Prius hybrid. “But what matters more than one car model,” says the article, “is the efficiency Toyota brings to all aspects of its business... a corporate philosophy that strives to exterminate waste”. Toyota can use a single production line to make several car types, which means it has cut energy use by 30 per cent since 2000.

So far, so green. But while some companies are forward-thinking and environmentally conscious, others may soon be forced to become so, reports People Management (Dec 28). Under proposals likely to appear in the Climate Change Bill in the spring, large UK firms may have to sign up to a carbon-trading scheme. If they then need to belch extra pollution into the world, they will have to buy the right to do so from other companies.

People Management also considers the implications of climate change on the HR profession. In the context of the world ending and all the rest of it, “HR’s part might seem rather insignificant”, it admits, going on to point out that there will be “big consequences for the function as organisations try to become more eco-friendly by improving energy efficiency and changing staff travel patterns and work locations”. It advises HR practitioners to get going on recycling and homeworking schemes.

And we can all do our bit by falling in love with our appliances, suggests New Scientist (Jan 6). Designers could help by designing consumer goods with which we want to build lasting relationships. As a nation we throw out enough rubbish every two hours to fill the Royal Albert Hall.

What else happened

British workers are becoming more serious when it comes to social responsibility though, according to a survey by the volunteering organisation Global Vision International. While more than half of respondents felt unfulfilled by their day job, six out of ten said that they would like to volunteer to help those less fortunate than themselves while 21 per cent would sign up to help to save the planet.

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