September 2, 2009— A new report from research firm Trucost Plc and standards nonprofit NSF International provides an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and costs.
Many companies will have to pay for their carbon emissions under climate change legislation. This study looks at the risks, costs, and opportunities represented by greenhouse gas emissions from chemical companies, food and beverage, healthcare, industrial goods and services, personal and household goods, automobiles and parts, as well as retail.
The report, called “Carbon Emissions Measuring the Risks,” finds that more than 80 percent of emissions occur in supply chains.
Companies that emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions will gain market share, the report predicted. This will present a dilemma to more carbon-intensive companies because trying to pass on costs to customers will lead to a shift toward cheaper and less carbon-intensive goods; they wont be able to do this without sacrificing market share.
The chemicals industry faces the most risk exposure to future carbon costs, followed by the food and beverage and industrial goods and services, the report found.
