WBCSD Annual Review 2006 NEW.qxp - Sustentabilidad.uai.edu.ar

Focus Areas
Energy & Climate Focus Area
“Because climate change is a global problem, the response to it must be
international. It must be based on a shared vision of long-term goals and
agreement on frameworks that will accelerate action over the next
decade, and it must build on mutually reinforcing approaches at national,
regional and international levels.”
UK Stern Review, 2006
The world is not on course for a sustainable energy future. High oil prices raise
concerns about the long-term balance of supply and demand, while a rapid
succession of climate-related events make daily headlines. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says, “most of the observed
increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very
likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas
concentrations” (Climate Change 2007: The physical science basis). The IPCC
defines “very likely” as being above 90%.
COP 12
Twelfth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the Climate Change
Convention and second Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,
6-17 November 2006 Nairobi, Kenya.
Energy efficiency and decarbonizing our energy mix are the only two major
ways to address this challenge. But without the rapid development and
deployment of innovative, low-carbon technologies and the involvement of all
nations, we shall not succeed. Ways to ensure the long-term sustainability of our
energy system and the stabilization of carbon emissions at an acceptable level
must be found fast in order to avoid irreversible damage.
The WBCSD has been seeking to provide business solutions to such questions as:
• How far can business and technology go on their own
• What government policies are needed to facilitate or enhance business
actions and the rapid deployment of technologies
• How can these actions be implemented on a global scale
Action
After Facts and Trends and Pathways to 2050, the third in our “2050 trilogy”,
Policy Directions to 2050, was in its final preparation stage at the end of 2006.
It deals with managing energy and carbon emissions in the key areas of power
generation, industry and manufacturing, mobility, buildings and consumer
choices. The aim is to illustrate the sorts of policies needed to reduce carbon
emissions by 2050. Member companies have been discussing the role of
international frameworks and targets, the effectiveness of market-based
approaches and voluntary agreements, and the potential of clean technology
transfer and development.
The WBCSD and the World Resources Institute (WRI) have developed the
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol – A corporate reporting and accounting standard
and the GHG Protocol for Project Accounting. The Mexico GHG Program officially
changed from pilot project to permanent program in October, representing a
major step in implementing the GHG protocol in developing countries. Similar
approaches are being considered or being implemented in the Philippines,
Brazil and China.
The crucial role of business in managing climate change is now recognized. A
growing number of corporations understand the importance of corporate social
responsibility (CSR), risk mitigation, and performance dimensions associated
with the sustainable production and use of energy.
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