UK Partner, Mark Schofield, is new global leader for tax sustainability and climate change at PricewaterhouseCoopers

[private]PricewaterhouseCoopers has appointed tax partner Mark Schofield to lead its global sustainability and climate change tax network as part of the firm’s global tax strategy of bringing together all relevant tax and human resource services to help clients respond to the broader sustainability agenda.

Richard Collier-Keywood, global head of tax, PricewaterhouseCoopers, said:
“The global financial crisis has created extreme short term pressures on businesses, but our experiences show that companies remain focused on sustainability even in a downturn.
“Tax has an integral role to play as businesses and governments collectively look to address the challenges presented by climate change. Mark’s appointment and the continued growth of our global sustainability and climate change tax network is part of the firm’s investment programme to ensure our sustainability expertise underpins all relevant services within the firm.”

Mark has been a tax partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in London since 2000 and has a proven track record of dealing with complex international tax issues. With its global reach, the network helps clients cut through the complexity of different environmental policies and economic instruments around the world, advising companies and their investors on how to improve business performance, implement long term sustainable tax strategies and understand and communicate the total tax contribution they make to society. The human resource services team within the network also provides guidance on how to align recruitment, retention and reward to sustainability strategies.
Mark Schofield, global sustainability and climate change tax network leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers, said:
“I am delighted to take on this key role, particularly at a time when tax is at the forefront of the climate change policy agenda as both a carrot and a stick mechanism for achieving behavioural change.

“However, there is a fine balance to be struck between ensuring any new tax policies for climate change provide the certainty and stability that business needs in the long term but do not stifle economic growth. We are working closely with industry leaders and policymakers to inform the debate on the role that tax can play in helping address sustainability and climate change issues.”
Findings from the PricewaterhouseCoopers 12th Annual Global CEO Survey show that 83% of over one thousand CEOs consider it important or critical for governments to provide a clear and consistent policy framework on climate change. Only 28% of CEOs feel that their governments have clear and consistent long term environmental policies. However, while there is a definite thirst for governments to lead on the issue, over half (55%) of CEOs globally are concerned that over regulation will be a barrier to business growth.[/private]