Climate change conference focuses on the ‘big picture’ for businesses The ‘Climate Change: The Business Forecast’ conference, hosted jointly by Defra, DTI and the Climate Group, explored the frameworks needed by business to adjust to and seize the opportunities inherent in the future’s low carbon economy. Speaking at the conference, Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The climate change landscape has changed considerably over the past year. There remains an enormous challenge ahead, but Gleneagles has built momentum, and the direction of travel is clear. "Some $16 trillion of investment will be needed between now and 2030 to meet global energy demand, irrespective of whether we carry on as we are or take a cleaner, more secure and sustainable future. "We know that business needs a framework that is clear, coherent and committed. Government's job is to provide that framework at home and internationally so that business is encouraged to seek out opportunities and innovate for the long term. "The smartest companies know already that business as usual isn't an option and, to succeed in a carbon constrained world, it makes sense to invest and think differently about their energy use." Delegates were told that the international climate change negotiations in Montreal in December are expected to get the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol off to a strong start and work on the question of how the international community can take forward action to combat climate change. However, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett warned that nobody should expect to see an agreement this year as the negotiating process would take time: "I recognise that there is uncertainty and that this has a real impact on your businesses. You are required to make investment decisions now that span well beyond 2012, and you will need to look for signals from science and from politicians. "I would like to suggest that the signals we have seen in 2005 point in only one direction - a future in which there will be ever tighter constraints on the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which are emitted to the atmosphere." Mrs Beckett said the outcomes of the UK's G8 Presidency - both in terms of discussions on the science and policy - had reinforced the need for action in Montreal. "For me, the debate about the science is over. The Exeter conference concluded that there was '"greater clarity and reduced uncertainty about the impacts of climate change across a wide range of systems, sectors and societies"'. "G8 leaders recognised the serious and long-term nature of this challenge in July, and agreed to act with urgency to tackle it. The practical measures they agreed focus on using the technology we have now to make a real difference to our emissions right away." The conclusions of the "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change" scientific conference, held in Exeter in February, can be found at http://www.stabilisation2005.com Adjusting to a low carbon culture may cause specific business continuity threats to some high carbon users. For a look at some of the other potential business continuity aspects of climate change see http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0198.htm
•Date: 7th October 2005 • Region: UK• Type:
Article •Topic: BC general |
