Chasing Down the Climate Change Footprint of the Public and Private Sectors: Forces Converge - Part I

Abstract:     
In this article, the author draws attention to the fact that the climate change net is being drawn increasingly tighter around the public and private sectors in order to chase down their climate change footprint. Set in the context of the Stern Review Report and the 2007 IPCC Reports, the author reviews: climate legislation which is seeking to impose deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions; the emergence of climate change litigation; corporate governance obligations for climate change; and the responsibilities for climate change arising as a result of corporate social responsibility. In particular, the role, and power, of institutional investors to require action and disclosure is examined.

Keywords: climate change, climate legislation, climate change litigation, liability of corporations, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, Carbon Disclosure Project, institutional investors

JEL Classifications: K32, K30, K10, N50, N57, Q20, Q28, M14

Accepted Paper Series