Member Article

North East businesses prepare for extreme weather

The number of North East businesses incorporating extreme weather into their planning has increased significantly over the past two years, according to new research.

A survey conducted by ClimateNE shows that the number of businesses incorporating extreme weather into their planning has increased from 15% in 2010 to 32% in 2012.

The survey also found that the number of businesses who treat extreme weather with the same level of concern as traditional risks such as fire and theft has doubled to 32% since 2010.

Adrian Hilton, ClimateNE Coordinator said: “It is encouraging that businesses are taking severe weather events seriously and building it into continuity and disaster planning.

“Severe weather events are a very real and pressing threat- in fact over 60% of businesses in North East England have said that severe weather events, from flooding and rain to heavy snow and low temperatures, have adversely affected them over the past two years.”

ClimateNE investigates the threats and opportunities which are presented to the region by the impacts of climate change. The organisation are helping to make the North East low-carbon and climate resilient as well as giving advice on how to avoid risk and realise commercial opportunities.

Almost half of the surveyed businesses believe that climate change presents opportunities for their business and over a quarter believe that climate change is already affecting their business.“

Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses North East, Ted Salmon said: “With many small businesses already struggling in the current economic situation, it is vital that all small and micro businesses assess the risks and take action to avoid costly disruption and build their resilience.”

The ClimateNE survey was set up to explore the business attitudes, perceptions exposure and vulnerability to climate change across North East England. Over 300 telephone interviews with senior personnel from businesses located across the region and was carried out in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Francesca Dent .