The disastrous weather we’ve witnessed in recent years has many people wondering what the weather will do next. The seemingly end-to-end storms, bushfires, cyclones and other devastating weather events prove to us that nobody can be 100% sure of how things will turn out over the coming years, let alone the coming weeks.
The climate change debate is heightened by these events with the question in many minds being “what impact might this have on businesses and individuals?”
As the results of ‘climate change’ become more obvious, we must be ready to change our ways. Many industries may be forced to make expensive modifications to business practices, and scores of individual businesses could perish if they cannot adjust. At the same time, changes in consumer demands and sources of economic value can provide new opportunities.
For both professional and individual investors it is crucial to recognise the various impacts of climate change on the companies or funds that they are invested in or will potentially invest in. For example:
Energy sources and the price of coal
Coal has been a cheap way to generate electricity, but many argue that this won’t be the case once the ‘real’ cost is taken into account (ie. the environmental impact of burning coal). As new technology is increasingly taken up across the world, more companies are specialising in wind, solar and geothermal energy. With the cost of coal-fired power being shared among less users, and hence consumers consistently seeing their electricity bills rising, they may be further inclined to seek more energy-efficient methods.
Impact of drought on the agricultural sector
Drought is a way of life for many Australians on the land so we should never get complacent about water supply. Water scarcity leads to lower crop yields and/or higher prices for food products. Farmers are responding through demand for technologies that enhance their yields or enable better water usage and recycling.
Rising sea levels
Increasing global temperatures and the consequent rise in sea levels will most obviously impact on the lifestyles of coastal communities. As a result we could see new demands for infrastructure that is suitable for the ‘new environment’. The effects of climate change on fisheries and various ecosystems may lead to increased opportunities in farming and, again, technologies that enable these ecosystems to adapt.
Extreme weather and the effect on insurers
Insurance companies aim to be adequately compensated (via premiums paid by policyholders) for the risks they are taking. The increasing claims over recent years has affected premiums, particularly in regional areas, which may create opportunities for improved building standards and materials as consumers seek to better weather-proof their properties.
One thing that won’t change is the fundamentals of good investment decisions. The changing climate will result in many winners and many losers, and the prudent investor will be seeking to choose the right place to invest.
Please contact us on 1300 874 474 if you would like to discuss.