Acclimatise Press Pack

Acclimatise | Press Pack| 31 July 2013

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Acclimatise Ltd. Press Pack

2013

-‐ Acclimatise has world-‐leading expertise in climate change adaptation and risk management for governments and the private sector -‐


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Media Contact: Will Bugler Network editor Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 2920 450688 Skype: will_acclimatise Company Information: Acclimatise HQ: Hexgreave Hall Farnsfield, Newark Nottinghamshire NG22 8LS T: +44 (0) 1623 884347 F: +44 (0) 5603 105079 E: [email protected] W: www.acclimatise.uk.com This press pack was prepared by Acclimatise, the trading name of Climate Risk Management Limited. © Copyright Acclimatise and Climate Risk Management Limited 2012


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Contents 1. About Acclimatise ........................................................................................................................... 1

2. Expert Comment ............................................................................................................................ 2

3. Acclimatise Consulting ................................................................................................................... 4

4. Acclimatise Interactive ................................................................................................................... 8

5. The Acclimatise Network ................................................................................................................ 9

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1. About Acclimatise

Acclimatise are leading experts on climate change adaptation and risk management for businesses and governments. An award-‐winning, specialist advisory and digital application company Acclimatise provides world-‐class expertise to a range of international clients.

We are leaders because we only focus on adaptation, and our work is shaping the adaptation agenda across the world. We bridge the gap between the latest scientific developments and real world decision-‐making, helping our clients to interpret this knowledge within the context of their own strategies, processes, capabilities and stakeholders.

Acclimatise offer a detailed understanding of both the climate science and its real world application. With offices in the UK and North America, Acclimatise has been providing expert climate risk management services to business and national governments for since 2004.

Acclimatise has particular expertise in the following areas:

Oil, Gas & Extractives Energy International Development

Financial Services Retail & Supply Chains Government & Policy

Ecosystems Adaptation Finance Defence & Security

We have successfully enabled our clients to:

Understand the climate risks to their operations

Make their assets climate resilient

Strengthen their supply chains

Enhance their returns on investment and identifying business opportunities

Help mainstream adaptation into their governance structures

We have access to a network of scientific and technical experts who can undertake advanced modelling and many other specialist supporting activities.

Acclimatise has three elements to its operations:

1) Acclimatise Consulting [See page 4]

2) Acclimatise Interactive [See page 7]

3) The Acclimatise Network [See page 8]

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2. Expert Comment

Acclimatise are the people to call if you need expert comment on how businesses or governments may need to adapt to climate change. Staff available to provide expert comment:

John Firth: CEO and Co-‐Founder of Acclimatise.

John has over 25 years experience in assessing the impacts of climate change. Prior to Acclimatise he worked in the UK water sector for Severn Trent Water, where he led their strategic business planning team, overseeing more than £4bn of asset investment.

John has extensive experience of integrating climate change into business decision-‐making and risk management processes. He has particular expertise in the impacts of climate change on large fixed-‐asset companies and the financial services sectors. John is also interested in the legal implications for business, disclosure of information to investors, and the provision of climate finance to developing countries.

John is experienced in giving interviews for TV and radio as well as providing comment for a wide range of articles. He has published numerous articles in professional journals and appeared as a speaker at conferences throughout the world on water, environmental issues and climate change.

SPECIAL EXPERTISE:

-‐ Impacts of climate change on large fixed-‐asset companies. -‐ Implications of climate change for the financial services sector. -‐ Impacts of climate change in the water sector -‐ Adaptation finance for developing countries.

CONTACT:

Email: j.firth(at)acclimatise.uk.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1623 884347

Dr Richenda Connell: CTO and Co-‐founder of Acclimatise.

Dr Connell has over 20 years expertise working at the interface between decision-‐making and scientific issues, on climate change, air pollution and environmental impact assessment.

She was formerly Technical Director at the UK Climate Impacts Programme, where she co-‐developed the world’s first web-‐based climate

adaptation tool and the UKCIP climate risk management framework, now recommended in UN and World Bank guidance.

Richenda has helped several hundred UK public and private sector organisations assess and manage their climate risks over the last 7 years.

SPECIAL EXPERTISE

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-‐ Climate science -‐ Climate adaptation in the oil, gas and extractives sector -‐ Climate adaptation in the retail sector including supply chain risks -‐ Integrating risk management into decision-‐making

CONTACT:

Email: r.connell(at)acclimatise.uk.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1865 554466

Alastair Baglee: Director of Acclimatise Interactive.

Alastair leads Acclimatise’s web and mobile software development business, and the Acclimatise Network. He is also a Technical Director of Acclimatise Consulting with over 17 years experience as an international environmental consultant.

Alastair was the Business, Industry and Services sector expert for the UK Government's first national climate change risk assessment (CCRA), which was laid before Parliament in 2012. He has also supported the UK CBI in their adaptation work. Alastair has a wealth of experience of managing the risks and opportunities that businesses will encounter with climate change.

Before joining Acclimatise is 2010, Alastair was a Regional Director for WorleyParsons, the major international resources and energy company. Here he developed and implemented a number of important new capabilities including Non-‐Financial Risk Management, Corporate Responsibility and Carbon Services (primarily for the Clean Development Mechanism market).

Previously Alastair has worked as a geologist, hydrogeologist, water resource specialist and environmental and social impact assessment consultant for Southern Science and Southern Water in the UK and the global environmental consultancy Komex.

SPECIAL EXPERTISE:

-‐ Interactive climate adaptation tools -‐ Climate adaptation in the energy and extractives sector -‐ Climate adaptation in the water sector

CONTACT:

Email: a.baglee(at)acclimatise.uk.com | Tel: +44 (0) 2920 450688

For all other enquires please contact Will Bugler who will direct you to the right person.

Will Bugler | Network editor | Email: [email protected] | Tel: +44 (0) 2920 450688 | Skype: will_acclimatise

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3. Acclimatise Consulting

Through our consulting services, we advise private and public sector clients on how to make their policies, projects, portfolios and assets resilient to a changing climate. Acclimatise has helped to formulate adaptation strategies for some of the world’s leading institutions and largest companies, and ensure they make the very best decisions, even in the face of uncertainty.

Acclimatise understands the implications a changing climate poses for the physical environment, communities, infrastructure and the regulatory and legal setting. For our clients, we interpret this knowledge within the context of their own strategies, processes, performance indicators, capabilities and stakeholders. Some of our key services include:

-‐ Making assets climate resilient -‐ Strengthening supply chains -‐ Enhancing returns on investment and identifying business opportunities -‐ Helping mainstream adaptation into management structures -‐ Enabling governments and local administrators to adapt appropriately and efficiently -‐ Guiding climate compatible development -‐ Supporting global forestry and REDD+

We have worked in over 35 countries globally.

Some of our past projects include:

Oil, Gas & Extractives

-‐ BG Group -‐ Climate risk management framework: Acclimatise designed a Climate Risk Management Framework and training programme to increase the resilience of the company’s existing assets and new projects. The framework is now an integral part of BG Group’s risk management process.

-‐ BP -‐ Climate risk screening: BP commissioned Acclimatise to undertake a climate risk assessment of the operational life and de-‐commissioning of major assets including a new power station, gas and oil

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pipelines and the re-‐commissioning of an oil production platform. Acclimatise also conducted workshops with key BP staff to discuss the findings of the risk assessment and developed a suite of adaptation options for the company.

-‐ Cameco Corp: Acclimatise developed and delivered interactive workshop sessions at Cameco’s Environmental Summit. The workshops provided participants with an understanding of how changing climate risks could affect the company’s ability to deliver on its environmental, regulatory and financial aims.

Energy

-‐ The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) -‐ Analysis of the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to the effects of climate change: IFAS commissioned Acclimatise to conduct a climate vulnerability and adaptation assessment for the energy sector in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. The project has helped the governments of these countries to integrate climate risks and adaptation into energy sector policy-‐making and planning. -‐ Eskom -‐ Climate change strategy review: South African electricity public utility company, Eskom, commissioned Acclimatise to advise on a review of its climate change strategy. Acclimatise developed and facilitated a series of departmental workshops with senior staff and developed internal and external communications. Our work helped Eskom develop its climate strategy in a way that integrates climate change within its existing risk management, procurement, and project finance.

Financial Services

-‐ International Finance Corporation (IFC) -‐ Climate risk and financial institutions: IFC commissioned Acclimatise to undertake research to analyse climate risks to financial institutions. Acclimatise prepared an extensive, evidence-‐based report detailing the challenges and opportunities of climate change for financial institutions, including commercial banks, institutional investors, and international financial institutions.

-‐ The Association of British Insurers (ABI) -‐ Climate Change Risk Assessment: The UK’s leading financial services trade association, the ABI, asked Acclimatise to assess the costs of climate change on natural catastrophe insurance and the resultant impacts on financial markets. A comprehensive review of all available industry and academic research was undertaken, leading to the publication of the ‘Financial Risks of Climate Change’ report. Financial correspondents, insurance companies, and research institutions now use this ground-‐breaking work as a standard reference source.

Retail & Supply Chains

-‐ Halcrow -‐ Supply chains guidance to the UK Environment Agency (EA): Halcrow commissioned Acclimatise to develop practical guidance for the EA with the aim of helping UK businesses understand and manage climate change risks to their domestic and international supply chains. The guidance is web-‐ready and available through the EA’s ‘Climate Ready’ website. Structured around a five-‐step framework, the guidance introduces users to a quick and easy climate risk management process that requires no prior knowledge of climate science or risk management.

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-‐ Oxfam US -‐ Value Chain Climate Resilience (PREP): Leading companies came together with Oxfam America and Acclimatise to produce a step-‐by-‐step guide to help businesses assess and prepare for the risks and opportunities posed by climate change. Companies including Calvert Investments, Entergy, Levi Strauss and CO., Starbucks and Swiss Re. contributed to the report. Writing for Forbes.com, Victor Lipman called the report ‘required reading’ for the corporate world. -‐ Marks & Spencer -‐ Supply Chain Risk Management: Acclimatise, in collaboration with Agulhas Applied Knowledge, was commissioned by Marks & Spencer to help them understand and manage the impacts of climate change on key components of their international supply chain. The Acclimatise team undertook a high-‐level assessment of climate impacts on commodities in the supply chain, identifying key risks and opportunities. The team worked with Marks & Spencer to identify and appraise potential responses through consultation with internal staff and suppliers. The project allowed our client to engage with suppliers so that they could also begin to understand the potential effects of climate change over different timescales.

Defence & Security

-‐ US Department of Defense (DoD) -‐ Climate change risk assessment for military installations: The US DoD commissioned Acclimatise, in partnership with the University of Arizona, to develop a decision support framework to support military installations identify operations and missions sensitive to climate change. The Acclimatise team will undertake risk assessments of two military installations and then supply DoD managers with tools and information to make better decisions. -‐ UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) -‐ Climate Impacts Risk Assessment Methodology: Acclimatise was commissioned by Defence Estates to develop a methodology to enable the MoD to assess and manage the risks from current and future climate to the operation, management and future development of its establishments in the UK. A bespoke risk identification methodology was created for the client, and is now implemented across priority MoD establishments.

Government & Policy

-‐ The Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA): As part of the Climate Change Act, the UK Government is committed to carry out an assessment of the risks to the UK of climate change every five years. In recognition of our expertise in assessing the risks of climate change across a range of business and industrial sectors, Acclimatise was asked to become ‘Sector Champions’, leading the assessment of the current and projected climate change risks and opportunities for the UK’s Business, Industry and Services Sector for the CCRA.

The CCRA is the largest and most detailed risk assessment of its type in the world, and is being monitored carefully by other countries in the EU and further afield.

-‐ Kenyan National Climate Change Response Strategy Action Plan – Developing a National Adaptation Plan for Kenya: Acclimatise, in partnership with LTS International, delivered the Kenyan National Adaptation Plan (NAP) as part of the country’s National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) Action Plan process. This involved identifying climate impacts and the level of risk that different sectors face with regards to climate change, identifying priority adaptation actions and establishing the roles to be played by various stakeholders on adaptation. A key component of this work is clarifying the contribution and role to be played by the private sector in adapting to climate change in Kenya.

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Water

-‐ Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) -‐ National Water Adaptation Guidance: The Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is facilitating the of knowledge on water resources adaptation across Canada, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences and the Canadian Water Resources Association. Acclimatise undertook research to help our client inform Canadian decision-‐makers on climate risks and adaptation opportunities for the water sector. We created the ‘National Compendium on Water Resource Adaptation to Climate Change’, an online database with of over 350 adaptation options and tools.

-‐ Anglian Water -‐ Developing a company strategy on climate change: Acclimatise developed an internal programme to allow Anglian Water to explore the impacts of a changing climate. The programme was designed to allow a strategic view to be taken across a range of drinking water and wastewater services, the impacts on customers and the regulatory, investment and management consequences. Anglian Water is now widely recognised as having integrated the impacts of a changing climate across its business.

International Development

-‐ World Bank -‐ The Social Dimensions of Climate Change in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova: Acclimatise, in collaboration with Collingwood Environmental Planning, assisted client countries to identify and mainstream the social dimensions of climate change into their adaptation programmes. The project developed country case studies for each client country, which are based on a bespoke Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) calculated at sub-‐national level, a series of in-‐country strategic discussions using Participatory Scenarios Development techniques and a desk-‐based review.

This work forms part of the World Bank’s ongoing Social Dimensions of Climate Change programme.

-‐ The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) -‐ Climate change resilience plan for the Caribbean: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of Government mandated the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) to develop a comprehensive regional plan for the implementation of the regional climate change strategy. The CCCCC engaged the services of Acclimatise to develop this Implementation Plan. The Plan focused on building resilience to the adverse affects of climate change on: energy, agriculture, fisheries and food security, water resources, tourism, coastal and marine resources and human health.

The CARICOM Heads of Government approved the Implementation Plan in March 2012.

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4. Acclimatise Interactive

Acclimatise Interactive builds on our team's many years of knowledge and experience in the field of climate change adaptation to offer tools that will help users understand, identify and manage the risks and opportunities that climate change will bring.

Our first tool, AwareTM for Investments, is a rapid climate change risk-‐screening tool designed for investors. AwareTM helps investors to quickly identify potential risks to the companies they are investing in. AwareTM allows screening of a company with physical assets or operations in a single geographic location, or across a portfolio of locations.

A video introduction to our AwareTM tool can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/aYnWofT1Lls

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5. The Acclimatise Network

The Acclimatise network is our online news centre containing daily articles on climate adaptation aimed primarily at a business audience. We keep our members abreast of the latest developments in climate risk management to help them make the best decisions for their business.

Our network comprises 14 sector-‐specific areas delivering targeted news, resources and reports and expert comment to the business community.

We include work from contributors around the world.

Our resource library contains hundreds of reports, briefings and presentations to help businesses mainstream climate risk into their decision-‐making.

Our newsletter is sent to thousands of subscribers each week.

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