Originally written August 22nd, 2022:
A team of researchers in Europe circulated a report earlier this year demonstrating a dramatic increase in the use of climate change-related language on quarterly corporate earnings calls over the last few years. This graph, pulled from their report (see citation in bottom left footnote to read the study yourself) illustrates the development well.
Even more interesting is their finding that increased levels of “climate talk” (the lines charted here) are linked to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at the companies in question. In other words, increased discussion of the topic is actually related to companies taking action to reduce emissions.
Let us know what you think in the comments.