September 2016 – This business briefing provides an overview of what was agreed in the Paris Agreement. It explains the major implications and helps businesses to formulate their strategic responses.
About the briefing
In December 2015, in Paris, France, at the largest-ever gathering of world leaders and ministers, 195 countries agreed a global framework for tackling manmade climate change. The historic and ambitious Paris Agreement was a turning point in political action on climate change with implications for the global economy and businesses everywhere.
Whilst the impact of the Agreement will vary from industry to industry and across geographies, there are common themes and an overall new context for change, which apply to all businesses. This briefing is not exhaustive but it is our hope that it will provide a stimulus and framework for understanding the likely implications as your business begins to develop a strategic response to the Paris Agreement.
PEST analysis
This briefing provides an overview of what was agreed in Paris. It explains the major implications and helps businesses to formulate their strategic responses. To best frame these implications and responses we consider the potential external forces that may act on a business using the PEST model (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural and Technological).
The briefing also includes:
- The Paris Agreement unpacked - What does it really mean?
- What are the key elements of the Paris Agreement for business?
- Why this all matters to your business
- Questions your business could consider
- Example case study - a car manufacturer
- The journey ahead
- Recommended resources
Citing this briefing
Please refer to this report as University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). (2016, September). A new climate for business: Planning your response to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
