Adapting to the consequences of climate change: Touchpoints, practical tools, and recommendations for your company

The Netherlands Red Cross has investigated the impact of climate change on Dutch businesses, the opportunities and risks companies (will) face and the possibilities for companies to support resilience in the Global South. The effects of climate change are clearly visible: many parts of the world are experiencing an increase in heavy rains, severe floods, prolonged droughts, heat, forest fires and storms. Increasingly, businesses are also affected by the climate crisis, notably through the disruption of services, impact on goods and workers, and damage to the value chain and/or reputation. 

In our research, a literature review and interviews with experts and companies reveals that many companies are taking the climate crisis seriously and are taking steps to reduce their emissions. We call this climate mitigation. At the same time, we see that adapting to climate change is still uncharted territory for many, while it is precisely climate adaptation that has a major impact on the future resilience of businesses.