Melbourne-based research firm Reputex has identified 45 listed Australian companies that are best able to adapt and compete in a world that is getting warmer.
The companies form Australia's first Climate Change Growth Index, which was developed by Reputex to track those companies best able address climate change risks.
The entries have thrown up a few surprises. Out of the S&P ASX 300 it was global resources behemoths BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto who emerged as leaders in tackling climate change risks.
"BHP and Rio are advanced in their anticipation of risk and understand the opportunities. They are big multinationals so they are more exposed to the risks inherent in climate change," Reputex's head of research Hugh Grossman said.
Property Trusts Mirvac and Investa were also surprise entries into the Reputex index.
"Property has huge exposure to climate change risk because it is a high carbon intensity business. But for firms that manage that risk properly there are great opportunities. Mirvac and Investa lead the way in design and innovation," Grossman said.
Reputex has also launched a Clean Tech Index, which identifies the leading creators and manufacturers of clean technology equipment and services.
"We're looking at adaptation capacity. It's not just about clean technology, all companies need to adapt."
