The Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has informed industry that it "cannot be insulated or isolated from the impacts of climate change".
Dr Pachauri made the comments as he addressed around 400 academics and industry leaders at Heriot-Watt University on the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents to industry. The IPCC is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.
At the event (on Tuesday 26 February), he said, "Industry and business around the world, across every sector, cannot expect to be insulated or isolated from climate change. It will impact economic growth, the availability of skilled labour, workers' health, and the global flow of goods and raw materials. Companies which depend on climate sensitive supply of raw materials such as agricultural and dairy products may need to consider action to secure their supply chains. Large companies in particular should consider taking action now to secure their supply chains."
Referring to Scotland's targets of reducing climate emissions by 80 per cent (on 1990 levels) by 2050 he said, "I'm very impressed by Scotland's ambitious drive to reduce carbon emissions - this can be an example to the world."
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said, "Along with other Scottish universities, our focus is on working with industry to develop solutions to global challenges through cutting-edge research - whether that's in sectors such as high speed rail or carbon capture and storage. As part of this, we continue to develop commercially viable solutions through expanding our research intensification."