Insurance Industry Heavyweight Lloyd’s Pushes Regulation of Carbon

Energy security and climate change concerns are unleashing a wave of policy initiatives and investments around the world that will fundamentally alter the way that we manage and use energy. Companies which are able to plan for and take advantage of this new energy reality will increase both their resilience and competitiveness. Failure to do so could lead to expensive and potentially catastrophic consequences.

Lloyds notes the importance of government regulation in managing the energy crisis.

Without an international agreement on the way forward on climate change mitigation, energy transitions will take place at different rates in different regions. Those who succeed in implementing the most efficient, low-carbon, cost-effective energy systems are likely to influence others and export their skills and technology. However, the lack of binding policy commitments inhibits investor confidence. Governments will play a crucial role in setting policy and incentives that will create the right investment conditions, and businesses can encourage and work with governments to do this.

The insurance industry makes it costly–through raising the price of insurance–to do business in risky ways. If Lloyd’s prices insurance for carbon dependent businesses much higher, it could force businesses to reevaluate their stance with respect to greenhouse gas regulation. Where the insurance industry leads, businesses will likely follow.

Article by Shari Shapiro appearing courtesy Green Building Law Blog

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