A few years ago, politicians and business leaders could get away from discussions about climate change, but times have changed and everyone has noticed climate has changed. Whether we change enough so climate changes back to what was normal is a different part of the equation, however everyone and every business has to do their part.

In an article by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi of Reuters, the Swiss government passed a timeline that companies have to disclose the risks they face from climate change. Companies will need to disclose the actual and potential impacts on their business.

In June, France became the first country to make the rules binding as it set targets that will require investors to declare how green their assets are and set greenhouse emissions goals every 5 years from 2021 onward.

Britain has proposed British companies meet the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2022. (shortly after the November UN climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland).

Switzerland says it rules will apply to both financial actors as well as to public companies with more than 500 employees or more than $27.6 million in Total Assets or $55 million in turnover.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, climate change is something which is happening and to combat it, public companies need to have an green program. The rules may help more consultants prepare the plans and lawyers to ensure the plan is effective, but companies that sell products around the world need to be doing something good on climate change. If they do, the shares will trade at a premium; if they do not expect the price to be a little lower. In addition, expect climate change interest groups to file briefs with regulators which the companies have to respond to.

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