climate change - Mahony Partners

Feb

2018

Warren Buffett’s Missed Opportunity

Climate Change, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

Warren Buffett’s annual shareholder letter was full of folksy charm and investment wisdom. But it had little to say about how he and the Berkshire Hathaway board are handling climate risks for the sprawling conglomerate. (more…) Read More

Oct

2017

Getting Ready for Climate-Risk Disclosure: Tips for Public Companies

Climate Change, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

Government task forces suffer from a bad reputation. Stuffed with members who have big titles but little appetite for hard work, such groups often are formed to bury an issue, not promote it. But the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is an exception. Its report, issued in late June, is substantive and serious. It will have a significant impact in boardroom... Read More

May

2017

Attacking is Still a Good Media Strategy

Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

President Trump’s attacking style of communications propelled him into office but lately has become less effective. Can organizations use an attack-based media strategy or is it now discredited? (more…) Read More

Nov

2012

California Smokes It: A Carbon Success Story

Climate Change, Taking & Managing Risk

Although largely overlooked by the media, California recently launched its ambitious carbon-trading program, holding a successful auction of carbon permits that raised nearly $300 million. Of course, had the auction failed it likely would have made the front pages, but its little-noticed triumph shouldn’t obscure its significance as a major step forward for the carbon market. It is a success story with lessons for both policy-making and risk communication. (more…) Read More

Oct

2012

Carbon, the Next Emerging Market

Climate Change, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

It’s easy to dismiss the carbon market as a passing fad or an artifact of a more optimistic, pre-recession world. Yet carbon trading continues to grow, following a trail blazed by another asset class that once seemed obscure and risky but is now a cornerstone of the investing world: emerging market bonds. (more…) Read More

Oct

2012

The Six Myths About the Carbon Market

Climate Change, Taking & Managing Risk

I participated in a conference this week on the outlook for the carbon market. Yes, there really is a carbon market, and it has made big strides this year, though you wouldn’t have known it from the press. Most of the media – and our elected officials – ignore the issue. They’re blinded by outdated views and misconceptions – what we call the Six Myths of the Carbon Market. (more…) Read More

Oct

2011

Update: Climate risk

Uncategorized

Here's a brief update to my post on climate risk: Today's New York Times reports on the disappearance of climate change from the US policy agenda. Abandoned by President Obama and scorned by Republicans, climate-change policy is dormant in the US, even while other nations take patient steps to control carbon emissions. The Times piece observes: "This fading of global warming from the political agenda is a mostly American phenomenon. True, public enthusiasm for legislation to tackle climate change has flagged somewh... Read More

Oct

2011

While politicians dither on climate risk, companies act

Friday Risk Reading

Climate change has all but disappeared from the headlines, aside from serving as a popular punching bag for Republican presidential candidates. But while politicians are busy denying the problem, businesses are taking action. There’s ample evidence that corporations recognize the risk of climate change and are factoring it into their investment planning. According to media reports today, Starbucks is already seeing a drop in coffee yields because of weather ... Read More