Research & insights

Many companies are now starting to measure how they impact the economies, environments and communities in which they operate.

The environmental, social and governance (ESG) focus is increasing as the basic business model of the Private Equity (PE) industry becomes more long-term, with more than 90% of the respondents in a recent survey of the PE industry believing that ESG activities can create value and link across to it.

Shale oil could revolutionise the world’s energy markets over the next 20 years, resulting in lower oil prices, higher global GDP, changing geopolitics and shifting business models for oil and gas companies.

While climate change and increasing temperatures now seem inevitable, there are high levels of uncertainty about the manifestations and magnitude of their impact. What is certain, though, is that climate change will have a multiplier effect on supply chain risk and link across to it.

This PwC report asks, and answers, the question: Which standards does Germany need to set to become the leading provider and leading market for electromobility?

March 2012 We explore how ASEAN companies are embedding sustainability in their business and what the key driving forces are.

Far-reaching changes are taking place, and they’re taking place faster than ever. In this new era of ‘stable instability’, risks that once seemed improbable and even remote have become the norm and for CEOs across the world, ‘expect the unexpected’ has become the mantra. The only solution is to build organisations that can thrive amidst disorder: organisations that are agile and adaptable, able to cope with disruption and emerge stronger than before.

Poor environmental, social & governance (ESG) performance can reduce deal value between private equity sellers & trade buyers, good ESG improves it.

This survey examines what large, global retailers are doing to reduce carbon emissions from their supply chains.

South Korea has committed to green growth and agreed to a greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme designed to help reduce the country’s gas emissions by 30% by 2020.

What factors make a city a global powerhouse? PwC analyses the trajectory of 27 capitals of finance, commerce, intellectual capital and/or manufacturing and examines future trends.

Low Carbon Economy Index 2012: Are G20 economies making progress in reducing carbon emissions levels? Can the world limit warming to 2oC?

Environmental and social issues are posing greater commercial risks than ever. In this 10Minutes we'll explore what's changing and how companies can take a more forward-looking risk approach.

Water valuation: building the business case demonstrates the business case for companies to engage in water valuation for enhanced decision-making. It is supported by a review of 21 business case studies.

Picking up the Pace is the latest ecosystems and biodiversity publication from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Global Green Policy Insights is a bimonthly update on the latest developments in environmental taxes, regulations, and other "green" policies around the world. Written by PwC specialists around the world, they provide timely updates on new tax incentives, credits, and policy issues of interest to multinational organisations.

The Business Ecosystems Training (BET) course is a capacity building programme designed to raise awareness and understanding of the impacts and dependencies that businesses have on ecosystems services – and, therefore the business case for ecosystem services valuation and management.

In the weeks running up to the Rio+20 conference, CEOs worldwide had their say on the issues being discussed by world leaders – what do they think are the current and future issues and how much progress do they think will be achieved at the conference.

This statement of PwC's capabilities for the renewable power industry identifies some of the key issues at every stage of the process, from feasibility studies and getting started with your project through to construction, operation and maintenance.

In August 2012, the United Nations CEO Water Mandate launched a set of standardized guidelines to help leading global organizations report on their water management. The CEO Water Mandate is an alliance of 86 corporations – including PwC -- committed to promoting water sustainability. PwC was selected by the CEO Water Mandate Secretariat, to lead the development of the guidelines.

By 2030 half the world’s population living in areas with limited water access. For business, water challenges can lead to business disruptions and higher costs. But there are also opportunities, and many companies are now improving their water management, and efficiency - across internal operations, supply chains, and in product use.

Productivity’s still low, and money scarce, but a growing number of biotech and pharma companies are joining forces to tackle the challenges they face ― with alliances with new partners in new territories.

New materials and technology are changing the packaging landscape. But raw material scarcity is a growing problem.

This publication explains why the fast-paced urbanisation is leading to increasing pressure on natural resources, especially water, and how meeting the requirements of urban poor requires the adoption of non-traditional practices to more effectively deliver water to such consumers.

The China Greentech Report 2012, released by the China Greentech Initiative (CGTI), is the third annual update of recent developments in the greentech sector in China. CGTI, founded in 2008, has rapidly grown to become the only Chinese-international collaboration platform of 100+ commercial and policy organizations, focused on identifying, developing and promoting green technology solutions in China.

Citizens share their views on sustainability and how progress at Rio+20 will help drive change, especially through regulation, investment and fiscal measures.

Managing risks related to dwindling freshwater supply is becoming more urgent for businesses. This 10Minutes discusses how companies can prepare for the consequences of water scarcity by monitoring water use, evaluating risk across the supply chain, and partnering with local communities to replenish water supply.

Material gains in sustainability: the business case for the construction products sector

In this business brief, PwC discusses the risks and opportunities associated with global infrastructure investment, and offers insight into optimal project management, governance and assurance.

A PwC report on the challenges facing the water industry in light of decreasing water quality and supply – key players, economics and future solutions.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in the private equity industry are increasingly in the spotlight. But many PE houses are struggling with how to demonstrate the value of their ESG activity.

PwC's latest report on the Chinese semiconductor industry uses a variety of industry statistics as well as executive interviews to examine the current status of the semiconductor industry in China.

This report provides an analysis of the major technological advances that will drive the semiconductor industry in the coming years.

This PwC article discusses the growth of renewable energy in the Middle East and the ways in which it could transform the energy supply and business development opportunities open to national oil companies (NOCs).

With a growing population, increasing GDP levels and improving lifestyles, renewable and non-renewable resources—energy, water, land, minerals—are in ever higher demand. In this report, we found that the supply of many minerals and metals is struggling to keep up with rapid increases in consumption, resulting in price hikes and delivery delays. For a manufacturing organisation with a global supply chain, this could spell trouble. Explore how this scarcity will impact seven key manufacturing industries around the world.

This publication on corporate reporting includes a case study on Puma’s ground-breaking approach to costing its use of different kinds of capital and how it led to a radically different approach to sustainability reporting.

A webcast to discuss issues prior to the Durban Climate Change Summit and to talk about the findings from the Low Carbon Economy Index.

From the education of global talent pools, to national immigration policies, regulation and international intellectual property protections, the public policy issues on the new innovation landscape are abundant and complex.

This PwC reports takes a close look at airlines’ corporate sustainability reporting on social, environmental, financial, corporate governance and other factors

This PwC study examines the GHG Protocol, which launched new standards that allow companies to measure and manage more carbon emissions - the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) and Product Life Cycle standards .

Those looking to become a part of the renewed vigor in the IPO market may be unprepared for the public scrutiny they are likely to encounter. Mounting interest in companies' nonfinancial disclosures, such as sustainability and corporate responsibility, leads to a simple question: Is your company prepared?

How are companies the world over responding to climate change and disclosing their carbon output? Get a complete picture of what the world's largest companies across the Global 500, FTSE 350 and S&P500 are doing.

PwC is at the forefront of an initiative to promote a new growth model in Spain, one of the key pillars of which is the transformation to a low-carbon economy. Pedro Larrea and Mari Luz Castilla, partner and director at PwC, had the opportunity to speak first-hand with Christiana Figueres, the global climate change chief.

This PwC publication takes a pragmatic look at the long-term plans and actions that will be required to move the energy transformation ahead. That’s where nuclear power continues to fit in, according to many scientists and policy makers. Nuclear faces challenges, of course, but how they are being met is the subject of this issue of Gridlines.

What progress has been made in achieving 100% renewable electricity in Europe and North Africa?

Providing adequate transportation, utilities, clean water, and sanitation for thousands of athletes and millions of spectators at a mega-event like the FIFA World CupTM or the Olympics is no mean task. But what becomes of that supporting infrastructure after the athletes and spectators have gone home?

What trends are contributing to China's rapid rise as a global greentech leader and what solutions are supporting it? This report analyses recent developments and examines existing and emerging opportunities in six key sectors: cleaner conventional energy, renewable energy, electric power infrastructure, green building, cleaner transportation, and clean water.

What is the rationale behind the trends and key individual deals in the renewable energy sector? Why is energy efficiency increasingly important and what are some of the critical issues for companies engaging in deal activity within the sector?

The Sustainability Yearbook 2011, offers you an overview of the results of SAM's 12th annual assessment of corporate sustainability practices, which provides the basis for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.

PwC has been one of the key corporate sponsors of the 'Vision 2050' project of the WBCSD. This short illustrative analysis aims to put an order of magnitude on the additional business opportunities that might arise in key sectors if the vision of a more sustainable future in 2050 is realised.

PwC is the only professional services firm making a significant technical contribution to the UN's major study on TEEB report for business — a global study, initiated by the G8 and five major developing economies, focusing on ‘the global economic benefit of biological diversity'.

Why are more companies promoting their corporate responsibility efforts? In the interest of transparency and the fact that investors are increasingly interested in non-financial information, businesses are looking to increase long-term shareholder and social value while mitigating the negative environmental and social impacts of company activities.

PwC and EcoVadis in collaboration with the INSEAD Social Innovation Center have launched in December 2010 a study on the value of sustainable procurement practices.

This booklet sets out how PwC has played and continues to play a key role in helping governments, business and society make the transition to renewable solar energy options.

As cleantech matures into one of the largest global industries and the U.S. and China deploy ambitious cleantech build-outs, opportunities for alliances and cross-border collaboration are emerging in cleantech sector 'sweet spots', including utility-scale wind and solar generation, water technologies, electric transportation and smart grid infrastructures.

Being sustainable can drive new growth through lowered costs, reduced risk, enhanced customer value, revenue growth, new products and markets, and motivated work force. All companies, ecofriendly or not, can adjust their thinking to be more sustainable. How can your company benefit from doing so?

This report, prepared by PwC on behalf of The Climate Group, looks at how adopting institutions are fulfilling their commitments to the Climate Principles.

Offshore windpower generation is growing and has potential to meet future energy needs, but technical, financial and logistical challenges must addressed for this energy option to become a source of large-scale power generation. Offshore windpower generation must attain efficiencies and achieve cost levels that are competitive with onshore energy generation sources.

Industrial products CEOs are recognizing the commercial risks and opportunities arising from climate change. This thought leadership piece focuses on the climate change agenda post Copenhagen and the business implications for Transportation & Logistics, Metals, and other industries.

PwC has prepared a paper for the World Economic Forum which explores the real and present risks that biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation pose for business.

Risk, responsibility & opportunity: The CEO's guide to climate action gathers insights from ten top executives and highlights how innovative companies across all sectors are facing up to climate change.