A number of years ago, it was very possible for those in the executive suites to deny climate change and people can still do it, but public companies will not have choices. All public companies have to follow government regulations or be sued.

In an article by Huw Jones of Reuters, at the recent Group of 7 Finance Ministers, they back the creation of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to write baseline rules for disclosures on how climate change will affect companies’ performance.

The ISSB will be in operation before the November UN COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

The reason for the ISSB is investors have complained about a patchwork of requirements across the world. At the moment, the standards in the Euro community is higher than the US, are standards are needed.

The ISSB is being set up by the London based International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation which writes accounting rules used in 140 countries.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, all companies are trying to sell their goods and services into the market place and sometimes the marketplace rules change. You often hear the stability and consistency from the executive suites and the ISSB is one to do that. Some companies will lead on climate change measures because it saves them money, and they have determined their customers expect them to be leaders. Sometimes being a leader will save money on issuing bonds because the company is seen as green. With companies saving money and winning customers is the issue, even if your company has monopoly like conditions.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.