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Australia has for months been battling scores of fires across
the country's east coast that have killed 29 people and millions
of animals, destroyed more than 2,500 homes and scorched an area
roughly one-third the size of Germany.
Bushfires are common in Australia but the season has started
much earlier than usual.
With the crisis illustrating the threat of a changing climate, a
Deloitte survey global business leaders showed 81% of Australian
executives believe climate change will harm their company.
"Businesses need to demonstrate to investors that they are
taking appropriate steps to mitigate their exposure," said
Robert Hillard, chief strategy and innovation officer at
Deloitte Australia.
The findings add pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who
is under a barrage of criticism for his government's handling of
the crisis.
Morrison has said strengthening Australia's carbon emission
reduction targets will damage the economy.
Public anger, however, remains high, stoked further when senior
government officials publicly disputed climate change.
"It is a test of his leadership. He must show that he can stare
down his own party and get it to stay quiet," said Haydon
Manning, professor at the college of business, government and
law at Flinders University.
(Reporting by Colin Packham. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
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