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Business unprepared for carbon price: CEO Pulse

The latest Business Spectator Accenture CEO Pulse survey found executives who run companies with a turnover of more $100 million, say they are, on average, less than 40 per cent prepared for the introduction of a carbon price – announced by the Gillard government while this survey, conducted by GA Research, was in the field. The key data in this survey shows only half of CEOs believe their organisations are prepared for future increases in electricity prices, despite almost 78 per cent reporting they have put in place initiatives, tools or programs to improve energy efficiency or reduce energy use. Research firm RepuTex, specialising in carbon risk analysis, has stated if the government imposes a $25 per tonne price on carbon, of the $3.3 billion cost, nearly half would be passed on to consumers, leaving the top 200 companies with a net liability of $1.75 billion. Initiatives in place to improve efficiency/reduce energy use. The most popular measure surveyed CEOs report having in place in their organisation in order to improve energy efficiency or reduce energy use is measurement and monitoring of energy usage across the whole organisation – at 56 per cent. Almost half of the chief executives said they have analysed their energy use and improved where possible and 30 per cent reported they have made significant inroads into improving their energy use. Research design and analysis for the CEO Pulse was conducted by GA Research and fieldwork by AFS. The sample comprised n=81 CEOs of organisations with an Australian turnover of $100 million or more who opted to participate in a five minute survey conducted over the phone or online between Thursday 17 February and Thursday 3 March 2011.

Tuesday 8th March 2011