Investors want firms to measure and report on their carbon footprint
Ever more companies see climate change as a growing threat to their commercial interests, according to a study carried out on behalf of 315 global investors.
But others expect to benefit, says the Global Climate Change Report.
Investors want firms to quantify and disclose the likely costs and benefits derived from climate change.
"Increasingly, investors view good carbon management as a sign of good corporate management," said the head of the project Paul Dickinson.
"Our investors are using the quality of the disclosure as a very useful tool to assess how seriously a company is taking the issues of climate change."
US President Bill Clinton will be among the speakers as the Global Corporate Climate Change Report is launched in New York on Monday.
In addition to quantifying how climate change might affect their companies, many are also putting in place mechanisms to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
"A majority of firms recognise the financial and reputational benefits of improved carbon performance," the report said.
Nevertheless, "there is still a minority of companies who are not engaged in the issues of climate change", it added.