Climate Action 2009-2010

© iStockphoto
BUSINESS & FINANCE
The private sector is a critical partner in creating
solutions to the climate change challenge and
is already actively engaged on many fronts.
} Ensure that private funds, which are essential to
finance the transformation to a low carbon economy,
can participate, and ensure that they are appropriately
articulated with national policies and measures.
Private sector innovation and investment will continue
to provide most of the financing for cleaner technology;
however, in order to further enhance these efforts,
governments have recognised the need for targeted
public financing mechanisms to encourage investment.
Despite the proliferation of specialised climate-related
financing programmes, more needs to be done to
effectively leverage private capital. In particular, public
sector money could also play an important role to
assure a steady base, especially in the first phase, when
capacity building and the proper environment needs to
be created.
“
Despite the proliferation
of specialised climate-related
financing programmes, more
needs to be done to effectively
leverage private capital
“
LOOKING AHEAD
Making progress towards solving the linked challenges
of climate change, energy for development and
economic recovery requires long-term commitment,
shared vision and actions between governments and
the private sector.
The engagement of the private sector is crucial and
public-private partnerships are essential, particularly
for technology co-operation. Business has extensive
expertise in this area, and is already working with
governments and international bodies such as the
United Nations Development Programme and the
United Nations Environment Programme to develop
collaborative solutions among various actors and key
stakeholders in developing and developed countries.
As we move ahead to enact the outcomes reached in
Copenhagen, governments should leverage and promote
existing business activities in investment and innovation,
and the development and deployment of effective
technologies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The post-Copenhagen elaboration and implementation
process should engage business as much as possible.
Looking ahead, ICC hopes to see the creation of
more effective ways for governments to benefit from
business expertise and actions, through opportunities
to collaboratively define mitigation and adaptation to
climate change, and effective policies to promote them.
As a global, multi-sectoral business organisation, ICC
stands ready to further engage with policy-makers to
ensure a successful outcome in Copenhagen as well as
to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Author
Jean Rozwadowski is the Secretary General of the
International Chamber of Commerce.
Organisation
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
is the voice of world business, championing the
global economy as a force for economic growth, job
creation and prosperity. ICC activities cover a broad
spectrum, from arbitration and dispute resolution
to making the case for open trade and the market
economy system, business self-regulation, fighting
corruption and combating commercial crime.
Enquiries
International Chamber of Commerce
38 cours Albert 1er
75008 Paris
France
Tel: +33 1 49 53 28 22
Fax: +33 1 49 53 28 59
Website/email: www.iccwbo.org
CORPORATE SECTOR 63
VISIT: WWW.CLIMATEACTIONPROGRAMME.ORG