insights
 
 

Foreword

Energy is top of mind of policy-makers, regulators, the media and increasingly the general public, around the world. Climate change and strategic concerns about security of supply have reignited a myriad of different debates ranging from dependency on unstable regions for oil and gas supplies; the battle to secure energy in the face of hungry high growth users such as China; the return to considering alternatives to fossil fuels such as nuclear. But probably the most seminal occurrence – certainly as far as the media and the general public is concerned in North America and Europe – is the appearance of Al Gore, the former US Vice President's, film "An Inconvenient Truth". This highlighted, in easily accessible terms, the challenge that man-made climate change poses for our planet and our way of life. As a result, carbon footprints have become all the rage. All kinds of consumer and non-consumer facing companies and sectors are ever more concerned about their carbon footprint and their image in relation to climate change. Will a positive image for sustainability be a substantive factor (above price) in the consumer's buying decision? Will public procurement decisions have more weight attributed in assessment of tenders to the sustainability factor?

As we roam around the world to our various PA correspondents in the edition of Insights, we can see that the energy and environment debate has a differing emphasis in different parts of this spectrum of issues. But everywhere it is top of the agenda, and to be ignored at one’s peril. I hope you enjoy this edition, and I very much look forward to your comments and feedback!

 

Elaine Cruikshanks
Head of Global Public Affairs
Hill & Knowlton
ecruiksh@hillandknowlton.com

July 2007

ENERGY AND
ENVIRONMENT

 

 

 

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