India’s vulnerability to climate change impacts is profound since around 650 million Indians are dependent on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods; around 250 million Indians live along a 7500 km of coastline that is at high risk due to sea level rise and extreme weather events. Maximum number of business are situated near coastal areas and near river /other water bodies, many of the 10,000-odd Indian glaciers are receding at a rapid rate; and deforestation is happening (Garg et. al., 2015)
Various case study presented in this manual are to showcase the impact of climate change on business. Though the poorest are affected the worst but business community is also not at very different platform.
This compilation of case study on ‘climate change adaptation’ are the actions taken by industries to meet their operational requirements during climatic tumult. This manual is to create awareness among industry about the possibilities and opportunities to safeguard the business operations, prevent losses, adaptation opportunities in supply chain, ways & means to fulfill the infinite requirements of raw material, management of outsourced operations, thru the implementation of climate change adaptation measures. This compilation may also be useful for provoking innovative ideas for dealing with climate change effectively and to manage unhindered operations/ businesses.
This best practice manual can help to deal with ‘risk to businesses’ and ‘preparation in advance’. While reading these case study few questions like:
- Does business need to adapt beyond the boundaries of its own operations?
- How can businesses prosper if customers, workforces or supply chains are impacted by climate change?
- Is there a business case for supporting adaptation in community?
- What adaptation measures are required by industry to safeguard the operations OR supply chain? may get answered.
Some examples of huge financial loss to Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan etc. because of floods in Thailand in 2011/ 2012 are detailed in this manual, providing a glimpse of grave situation that may arise due to climate change induced disasters. Therefore, this manual is for business community to read, understand, adapt and upscale. More specifically, each business house should focus and march towards assessment of vulnerabilities to their business/ facility and endeavor to ‘climate proof’ their businesses well in advance, in order to restrict significant bearing on your business in future.