The best thing a business could do for the environment is shut down

... of course, they're not going to do that. So how do managers balance their climate change fears and the reality of the business world?

Earlier this week Tim Sanderson, a former executive of the fossil fuel giant BP, wrote about the pride he felt for his daughter after her involvement in a climate change protest at Heathrow airport. With 12 others from climate activist group Plane Stupid, Rebecca Sanderson had occupied a runway to highlight the conflict between airport expansion and escalating carbon emissions.

Having spent most of his working life in oil exploration, Sanderson said he was an "unlikely apologist" for his daughter's actions. However, climate change had become a galvanising issue for his family. When his daughter and her colleagues were convicted for aggravated trespass - and face a likely jail term - the former oil executive stood with other protesters loudly chanting: "No ifs, no buts, no new runways". As with a growing number of business people, Sanderson's story demonstrates how climate change has become an increasingly personal business.