Climate change & environmental damage: Examining five of the worst economic problems caused by worsening pollution
Climate change & environmental damage: Examining five of the worst economic problems caused by worsening pollution
SUMMARY
Climate change and the state of the environment are the most important and difficult challenges facing governments, businesses and individuals this century. Now the environmental risks posed by a developing climate are taking a toll. There needs to be careful management to reduce the impacts on the global economy that climate change, and environmental damage caused by changing weather patterns, will bring and some problems which won’t be preventable.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMARY
Climate change and the state of the environment are the most important and difficult challenges facing governments, businesses and individuals this century. Now the environmental risks posed by a developing climate are taking a toll. There needs to be careful management to reduce the impacts on the global economy that climate change, and environmental damage caused by changing weather patterns, will bring and some problems which won’t be preventable.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The world’s major cities are recording high levels of dangerous pollutants, largely caused by governments encouraging the use of diesel over petrol powered vehicles. Manufactures are now improving designs; governments are seeking to grow alternatives such as EV and hybrid vehicles.
- The plastic trash vortex in the Pacific Ocean is vast - a larger area than Texas - and has been caused by plastic waste, particularly plastic microbeads. Now under pressure from consumers, large companies are changing how products are made to meet with consumer demands and strengthening government regulation.
- Many of the largest and most economically important cities in the world are situated near waterways. Current projections show major problems are looming, creating major population displacement problems. Avoiding these and other problems appears to be increasingly unlikely, meaning governments can only seek to limit the potential damage.
- Examines how various environmental problems pose challenges to businesses around the world.
- Assesses how environmental damage feeds back into problems for commerce, such as resource management and sustainability.
- Looks at how different businesses are impacted by growing pressure of climate change and environmental damage.
- Details how climate change presents threats to the security of food supply and the wider issues that entails.
- Assesses the potential economic damage incurred from rising sea levels in the context of many centers of economic power being near major bodies of water.
- What is the likely impact of plastic waste on large companies?
- How are governments and businesses reacting to the growing pollution problems in major cities?
- What is the potential impact of rising sea levels on the major cities of the world?
- How will climate change impact food supply and what will be the knock-on effects?
- What role will coal play in the future of power generation as the world seeks cleaner sources of energy?
Executive Summary
Diesel’s bubble slowly bursting: Opportunity for cleaner fuel sources arising
Rising global coal demand creates contrasting impact on business
The Pacific Trash Vortex: Oceanic plastic pollution and the impact on business
Rising sea levels will impact the global economy making some cities uninhabitable
Climate Change and Food Security: The Global Threat
Diesel’s bubble slowly bursting: Opportunity for cleaner fuel sources arising
World cities are recording high levels of dangerous pollutants
Fines and bans will affect 50% of the European vehicle fleet
The move from petrol to diesel was encouraged by legislators
Manufacturers have used dirty tactics to keep up with rules
Some small signs that consumers are moving away from diesel
Manufacturers are improving their designs in readiness
Europe will become an attractive market for EVs and Hybrids
Rising global coal demand creates contrasting impact on business
Expensive energy creates contrast in industrial competitiveness with non-OECD nations
Low-cost coal continues to rule in non-OECD countries, helping industry
Cheap coal keeps prices down for consumers, encouraging use
Trump and coal: Dumping waste in water could harm unrelated industries
Impact of coal on fresh water has wider ramifications for economies
Environmental laws on coal helps renewable energy across the world
The pacific Trash Vortex: Oceanic Plastic pollution and the impact on business
The extent of oceanic plastic pollution is colossal, raising concerns about the use of plastic in the consumer society
Microbeads in the oceans could be making fish and marine life toxic, threatening numerous industries
Government policy on plastic waste is forcing companies to change, opening up fresh opportunities
Decline in plastic bag use prompted by government action increases demand for alternatives
Industry successfully turned UK government policy away from tough targets on non-recyclable plastic use
Growing influence of corporate responsibility the consequence of oceanic plastic pollution
New companies with innovative solutions to ocean plastic pollution enter the market
New technology seeks to solve environmental problems caused by waste plastic
Big industry: Dell converts ocean plastic waste into packing for laptops
Rising Sea Levels will impact the global economy making some cities uninhabitable
Current projections of sea level rise suggest disaster is looming
China and Netherlands heavily exposed to population displacement
US, China and India have billions of dollars of exposed assets
Sea level rises will affect inland areas too through river floods
Avoiding these problems is looking increasingly unlikely
Companies and governments need to make difficult decisions
Climate Change and Food Security: The Global Threat
Impact of climate change on agriculture is unevenly spread - tropical regions will suffer the most, threatening supplies
Crop yields around the world fail to keep pace as climate change sets in
Conditions demand a second ‘green revolution’ - this time to create resilience against extreme weather events
Pesticide use in response to climate change harms food security throughout the world
Growing food insecurity is damaging economies and creating political strife
Agriculture in Africa is sensitive to the effects of climate change, potentially causing political and social mayhem
Desertification will get worse, harming food security, with the onset of climate change
Business action points
Appendix
Sources
Further Reading
Ask the analyst
About MarketLine
Disclaimer
Diesel’s bubble slowly bursting: Opportunity for cleaner fuel sources arising
Rising global coal demand creates contrasting impact on business
The Pacific Trash Vortex: Oceanic plastic pollution and the impact on business
Rising sea levels will impact the global economy making some cities uninhabitable
Climate Change and Food Security: The Global Threat
Diesel’s bubble slowly bursting: Opportunity for cleaner fuel sources arising
World cities are recording high levels of dangerous pollutants
Fines and bans will affect 50% of the European vehicle fleet
The move from petrol to diesel was encouraged by legislators
Manufacturers have used dirty tactics to keep up with rules
Some small signs that consumers are moving away from diesel
Manufacturers are improving their designs in readiness
Europe will become an attractive market for EVs and Hybrids
Rising global coal demand creates contrasting impact on business
Expensive energy creates contrast in industrial competitiveness with non-OECD nations
Low-cost coal continues to rule in non-OECD countries, helping industry
Cheap coal keeps prices down for consumers, encouraging use
Trump and coal: Dumping waste in water could harm unrelated industries
Impact of coal on fresh water has wider ramifications for economies
Environmental laws on coal helps renewable energy across the world
The pacific Trash Vortex: Oceanic Plastic pollution and the impact on business
The extent of oceanic plastic pollution is colossal, raising concerns about the use of plastic in the consumer society
Microbeads in the oceans could be making fish and marine life toxic, threatening numerous industries
Government policy on plastic waste is forcing companies to change, opening up fresh opportunities
Decline in plastic bag use prompted by government action increases demand for alternatives
Industry successfully turned UK government policy away from tough targets on non-recyclable plastic use
Growing influence of corporate responsibility the consequence of oceanic plastic pollution
New companies with innovative solutions to ocean plastic pollution enter the market
New technology seeks to solve environmental problems caused by waste plastic
Big industry: Dell converts ocean plastic waste into packing for laptops
Rising Sea Levels will impact the global economy making some cities uninhabitable
Current projections of sea level rise suggest disaster is looming
China and Netherlands heavily exposed to population displacement
US, China and India have billions of dollars of exposed assets
Sea level rises will affect inland areas too through river floods
Avoiding these problems is looking increasingly unlikely
Companies and governments need to make difficult decisions
Climate Change and Food Security: The Global Threat
Impact of climate change on agriculture is unevenly spread - tropical regions will suffer the most, threatening supplies
Crop yields around the world fail to keep pace as climate change sets in
Conditions demand a second ‘green revolution’ - this time to create resilience against extreme weather events
Pesticide use in response to climate change harms food security throughout the world
Growing food insecurity is damaging economies and creating political strife
Agriculture in Africa is sensitive to the effects of climate change, potentially causing political and social mayhem
Desertification will get worse, harming food security, with the onset of climate change
Business action points
Appendix
Sources
Further Reading
Ask the analyst
About MarketLine
Disclaimer
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Coal and lignite production for OECD countries (Mt)
Table 2: Assets exposed globally to rising sea levels
Table 1: Coal and lignite production for OECD countries (Mt)
Table 2: Assets exposed globally to rising sea levels
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Smog in Shanghai
Figure 2: Coal Briquettes
Figure 3: Plastic sea waste
Figure 4: Thames Barrier
Figure 5: Wheat crops
Figure 6: Pollution index in European cities
Figure 7: Deaths in Europe 2015 from Nitrous Oxide
Figure 8: Break down of fuel types in Europe in 2015
Figure 9: Break down of fuel types in Europe in 2016
Figure 10: Co2 Emissions by world region 1990-2015 million metric tons of carbon
Figure 11: Market share % of EVs & HEVs in Europe 2015-2016
Figure 12: Available new and used vehicles on Autotrader UK by fuel source March 2017
Figure 13: Energy intensity of GDP at constant purchasing power parities (koe/$ - 2005 prices)
Figure 14: OECD coal and lignite production (mt)
Figure 15: CO2 emissions from fuel combustion (MtCO2)
Figure 16: World coal consumption by region, 1980-2040 (forecast from 2013) in quadrillion Btu
Figure 17: US coal production (millions of ton)
Figure 18: Indian coal production (millions of ton)
Figure 19: Percentage share of renewables in energy production for OECD
Figure 20: Number of plastic packaged goods sold in G7 countries (billions) Forecast from 2016
Figure 21: 2015 UK fish catch weight (millions of kg)
Figure 22: Decline in plastic bag use six months after introduction of five pence charge
Figure 23: mmlbs Post-consumer Bottles Recycled / Used by Reclaimers in the United States
Figure 24: Gross plastic bottle recycling rate in the United States
Figure 25: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop
Figure 26: Observed sea level change mm per year
Figure 27: Population at risk from rising sea levels (millions of people)
Figure 28: Percentage of population at risk of displacement
Figure 29: Current population affected annually by river floods millions of people
Figure 30: Global Release of Carbon Dioxide excluding land-use change and forestry (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year)
Figure 31: Tanzania, millions of tonnes of wheat per hectare
Figure 32: Australian rice production, millions of tonnes per hectare
Figure 33: Global area of GE crops (millions of hectares)
Figure 34: Brazilian pesticide market ($bn)
Figure 35: Libyan Agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing value (LYDm)
Figure 1: Smog in Shanghai
Figure 2: Coal Briquettes
Figure 3: Plastic sea waste
Figure 4: Thames Barrier
Figure 5: Wheat crops
Figure 6: Pollution index in European cities
Figure 7: Deaths in Europe 2015 from Nitrous Oxide
Figure 8: Break down of fuel types in Europe in 2015
Figure 9: Break down of fuel types in Europe in 2016
Figure 10: Co2 Emissions by world region 1990-2015 million metric tons of carbon
Figure 11: Market share % of EVs & HEVs in Europe 2015-2016
Figure 12: Available new and used vehicles on Autotrader UK by fuel source March 2017
Figure 13: Energy intensity of GDP at constant purchasing power parities (koe/$ - 2005 prices)
Figure 14: OECD coal and lignite production (mt)
Figure 15: CO2 emissions from fuel combustion (MtCO2)
Figure 16: World coal consumption by region, 1980-2040 (forecast from 2013) in quadrillion Btu
Figure 17: US coal production (millions of ton)
Figure 18: Indian coal production (millions of ton)
Figure 19: Percentage share of renewables in energy production for OECD
Figure 20: Number of plastic packaged goods sold in G7 countries (billions) Forecast from 2016
Figure 21: 2015 UK fish catch weight (millions of kg)
Figure 22: Decline in plastic bag use six months after introduction of five pence charge
Figure 23: mmlbs Post-consumer Bottles Recycled / Used by Reclaimers in the United States
Figure 24: Gross plastic bottle recycling rate in the United States
Figure 25: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop
Figure 26: Observed sea level change mm per year
Figure 27: Population at risk from rising sea levels (millions of people)
Figure 28: Percentage of population at risk of displacement
Figure 29: Current population affected annually by river floods millions of people
Figure 30: Global Release of Carbon Dioxide excluding land-use change and forestry (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year)
Figure 31: Tanzania, millions of tonnes of wheat per hectare
Figure 32: Australian rice production, millions of tonnes per hectare
Figure 33: Global area of GE crops (millions of hectares)
Figure 34: Brazilian pesticide market ($bn)
Figure 35: Libyan Agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing value (LYDm)
