The Globe and Mail

Every single sector in financial markets will be touched by the climate change debate, though companies will be affected in different ways, a major global bank is saying.

UBS Investment Bank examined how companies will be influenced by climate change, and found six global stocks that represent the most “interesting opportunities.” They are all European: ABB, EDF, Intertek, Saint Gobain, Siemens and Swiss Reinsurance.

The report comes as a growing number of investment banks are issuing research reports on climate change and how it will affect investments.

“We believe that no sector is untouched,” Julie Hudson, head of socially responsible investment research, told Business News Network, adding that the issue has now become a facet of risk management for companies.

The UBS initiative includes 12 research notes and four webcasts on the topic.

“We do not debate the rights and wrongs of the science,” Ms. Hudson said in a release. “In our opinion, what matters now is the response of financial markets, sectors and companies to climate change-related reactions.”

Its research was based on surveys among its analysts, economists and strategists in its European research department, asking them questions such as how companies might respond to government initiatives.

“Climate change is an important issue that will have significant consequences for our clients for many years to come,” said Nick Pink, head of European equity research in the release.