Climate Action 2009-2010

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BUSINESS & FINANCE
Climate change presents a tremendous opportunity
for business to create value.
Climate change:
THE CASE FOR ENGAGEMENT
GeorG Kell, ExEcutivE DirEctor,
unitED nations Global compact
It has long been argued that business has a role to play
in addressing climate change. This article explains how
a low-carbon economy can provide opportunity, growth,
innovation and increased efficiency within companies.
While business engagement is indeed essential for
the development of a green economy, a shift in focus is
required, from short-term profit maximisation to longterm
sustainability. This article points out that such a
shift now comes at far less a cost than the results of a
continued lack of action.
Arguably, most people today understand the urgency of
climate change. But still, too few are prepared to act.
As the world economy is only slowly beginning to recover
from the most severe recession since the 1930s, the
climate challenge is once again moving into the center
of attention. With the critical UN Climate Change
Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen fast approaching,
it is worthwhile to recall what is at stake: any advances
made and to be made in global integration, wealth
creation, poverty reduction and peace building critically
depend on our ability to address climate change now. In
other words, the future of the global market as we know
it hangs in the balance.
But amid the scenarios of climate doom, there lies
hope. In fact, climate change presents a tremendous
opportunity for business to create value. The critical
question is whether the private sector can seize this
opportunity to retool the global economy and lay the
foundation for low-carbon growth that creates jobs,
fosters innovation and advances economic efficiency.
“
It is only with the private
sector that we will be able
to turn the tide on climate
change
“
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Granted, business does not hold all the keys to a lowcarbon
future. Governments will have to muster up the
political will needed to create the proper regulatory and
enabling environment. Only regulatory certainty can rev
up the engine of green growth which drives innovation,
spurs massive global investments and enhances
efficiencies, allowing climate mitigation and adaptation
approaches to reach full scale.
TECHNOLOGY 57
VISIT: WWW.CLIMATEACTIONPROGRAMME.ORG