COP17, catalyst for impact of environmental issues on business

This high-level commitment is trickling down into companies as a new approach to planning and risk management. Businesses are increasingly structuring their organisations to incorporate environmental management, which is becoming a fixture in business risk management.

This commitment at a high level is critical in order to drive a company's environmental strategy. Numerous corporations have directors and managers of sustainability, environment and energy. Often it is one portfolio.

All businesses face risk

Regardless of the industry and the impact of the business on the environment, all businesses face risk to some degree. The management process can be internal, external or a combination of both, where certain elements of environmental management are outsourced.

South African businesses are also changing their approach to how they handle disclosure on their environmental performance. The top-100 companies in the country, for example, disclose non-financial data, including information about the company's impact on the environment. Data integrity is critical to build stakeholder trust.

Understanding legislation and applying for licences

We're able to offer clients assistance and direction in understanding the legislation and applying for licences. Gibb can help clients comply without any disruption to their businesses and is also able to support industry with the auditing of reporting systems to ensure data integrity.

Now, more than ever, companies will have to comply with environmental legislation. It's important for all companies, regardless of their size, to consider environmental management as part of their overall growth strategy. We're entering a carbon-constrained world and we need to protect and enhance our environment, so that the generations to come can enjoy it the way we have.