The sector findings were not intended to be statistically robust, analyzing in some cases just one company in each sector. Nor were the sectors studied comprehensive -- for example, not including oil and gas or transport.

They were the result of applying a framework the Carbon Trust has devised to help businesses and investors calculate their profit risk from climate change.

"Few (investors and companies) are incorporating full risk assessment into their strategic thinking and, crucially, not all the information to quantify exposure to climate change is disclosed," said Emma Johnson, head of investor engagement at the Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and develop commercial low-carbon technologies.

One example of a regulatory cost to business is the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, which puts a cost on excessive emissions of carbon dioxide -- a by-product of burning fossil fuels -- and so potentially raises power prices and costs for energy-intensive industries.

Both the chemicals and building materials sectors faced potential risks to profit of over 10 percent in 2013, the report's reference year, the study suggested.

Electricity generators faced a potential profit windfall, however, because of the potential for passing on to customers the cost of carbon permits which they obtain for free, it said.

The study drew up seven questions businesses and their shareholders and managers could ask, to try to quantify profit risk.