Industry bodies draw up plans to help businesses adapt to climate hazards

The harsh summer of 2024 that saw the highest number of heatwave days in 14 years has prompted industry bodies to draw up plans to better prepare the corporate sector for such adverse weather events in future. While CII is putting together an 'Integrated Framework for Adaptation and Resilience for Business', based on inputs from its members, industry lobbies Ficci and Assocham are devising strategies for businesses to build their climate resilience.

CII is expected to share adaptation strategies for the industry to address the risks posed by floods, droughts, heatwaves and cyclones. It has also undertaken a series of stakeholder consultations to unde stand the heat stress management practices adopted by its member organisations. "Through this framework, CII aims to contribute to industry's efforts to mitigate, transition, protect employees and assist in the preparedness for climate-related hazards," Seema Arora, deputy director general at CII, told ET.

CII said its members adopted strategies such as flexible work hours, remote work and extended breaks, besides providing cooling facilities for employees as part of heat stress management. The report also said the productivity loss in several parts of Asia and Africa can be as much as 5%. India experienced a scorching summer this year with the warmest June since 1901. "Preparing for heatwaves is becoming a part of industry's strategic planning exercises to ensure business continuity and enhance their long-term sustainability and resilience," said Jyoti Vij, director general at Ficci.

Assocham secretary general Deepak Sood said adapting to these challenges required proactive measures such as upgrading cooling systems at power plants, enhancing grid resilience, promoting energy conservation among consumers and diversifying energy sources to reduce the impact of extreme weather events on the power sector.