Accelerated business response to climate change drives cleantech investment – Press release – Ernst & Young: “Accelerated business response to climate change drives cleantech investment
US$5.2 billion invested since January 2007
London, 2 October 2008 — As climate change moves up the corporate agenda, cleantech investment is reaching record levels according to Ernst & Young. Climate change challenges are creating opportunities for next generation technologies as companies seek to respond to stakeholder expectations, current and anticipated regulation, and rising energy costs. In addition, climate-smart companies view this as an opportunity to make them more innovative, efficient and competitive.
As part of a series of research on climate change transformation, an Ernst & Young study of 150 global companies found that 90% of those surveyed were undertaking climate change initiatives, with disclosed financial commitments totaling US$276 billion over the next ten years. Another Ernst & Young study1 revealed that 35% of corporate venture capital programs will increase their investments in cleantech companies next year and 44% within the next five years, supporting the finding that corporations are accelerating their climate change response. A third Ernst & Young study2 showed that 51% of institutional investors globally always or sometimes consider a company’s climate change response when considering investment in a new issue.
This accelerated corporate response to climate change is reflected in global venture capital investment trends. Ernst & Young’s Venture Insights® reveal that as a proportion of global venture capital investment, cleantech has grown rapidly – up from just 1.6% of total investment in 2003 to 11% in 2008. And in terms of value, global venture capital investment in cleantech is set to significantly exceed the record US$3 billion invested last year, having already reached US$2.2 billion in the first six months of 2008.”
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