Human induced climate changes are becoming increasingly apparent. Rapid growth in global emissions of greenhouse gases and physical impacts of climate change are set to accelerate in coming years. As concerns about climate change grow, the market and policy environment in which the industry operates is also changing rapidly. Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the environmental credentials of the products they buy. This is consistent with a broad and global trend in which customers are demanding higher standards of quality, transparency and accountability in the products.

The companies have to be prepared by :

1. Adopting appropriate environmental management system and by documenting by the carbon footprint of their key products; and by taking action to minimize the carbon-intensity to generate competitive advantages;
2. Documenting ‘carbon footprint’ at the level of the whole company and, where possible and relevant, attribute this to the level of individual products;
3. Developing a strategic view of the business’ positioning with respect to climate change; and
4. Identifying and implementing all carbon reduction opportunities that are likely to prove cost-effective and not only short term direct costs.