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Business looks to governments to take lead in pushing through shift in behaviour towards climate change

PricewaterhouseCoopers survey suggests solution to reducing impact on environment lies in mix of penalties and rewards

Podniky očekávají od vlády iniciativu v posunu chování v souvislosti s klimatickými změnami

Business is looking to governments for leadership in establishing the behavioural change necessary to halt global warming. And it is a mixture of penalties and rewards that is most likely to encourage business to reduce its impact on the environment. These are just two of the findings drawn from the most comprehensive survey of its kind yet conducted, the PricewaterhouseCoopers Appetite for Change.

The survey takes a close look at attitudes in the international business community towards environmental regulation, legislation and taxes. In almost 700 interviews in 15 countries including the Czech Republic, executives share their perspectives on issues such as the impact of climate change, the role of government, preferred environmental policy tools, and the essential ingredients for an effective global climate change deal.

Globally, 84% of executives accept that climate change will change the way they do business over the next 2-3 years; in Czech this figure decreases to 71%.

In Czech Republic 54% of executives feel it is primarily up to government to take the lead in bringing about a shift in behaviour regarding climate change. Globally this number lower at 44% though a country breakdown shows marked differences behind this figure, with more than 60% of executives questioned in the UK, China, Russia, Canada and Sweden citing government responsibility, whereas their colleagues in Germany and Brazil opt for more of a shared responsibility between government, business and individuals.

“When it comes to the most effective way of getting business to reduce its impact on the environment, business clearly sees the answer to lie in a mixture of ‘carrot and stick’  - with 86% opting for tax incentives and 83% for regulation,” said Martin A Scott, Director, Tax and Legal services, PricewaterhouseCoopers Czech Republic.

The leading factors instrumental in influencing an organisation’s environmental behaviour were compliance (85%), corporate reputation (74%), cost savings (73%) and competitive advantage (67%).

With 25% of businesses paying some form of carbon tax or levy, Czech is second after Russia.  When asked about their support of a carbon tax, respondents from Czech were the least supportive with only 25% in favour. This number increased when asked about emission trading schemes with 47% supportive.

The ploughing back of money raised from environmental taxes and regulation directly into green or environmental projects is seen as important globally by 88% - but only 31% are confident this will happen.

www.pwc.com/cz