Climate Action 2014-2015

COP 20 AND BEYOND
development funds – allow for ‘green’
investments to be made on a larger scale.
Companies are positioning themselves
as Climate Champions. A fraction of
multi-national companies on the market
are positioning themselves as leaders
in the fight against climate change.
For instance, a group of 35 companies
are engaging strongly for the first
time through the Caring for Climate
initiative on the issue of carbon pricing
– one of the most effective economic
measures to address climate change.
These companies have committed to set
an internal carbon price high enough to
significantly influence their investment
decisions and reduce their emissions,
publicly support policy mechanisms
that lead to a carbon price on the
market, and communicate transparently
on progress in these two areas. And,
again for the first time, large companies
and industrial groups are taking steps
to leave chambers of commerce and
business associations that oppose
progressive policies on climate.
These five trends – citizen engagement,
action from major emitting countries,
the mainstreaming of low-carbon
technologies, investor action and
concrete commitments from the private
sector – did not exist in 2009 when
countries came together in an attempt
for a new climate agreement. They do,
however, exist today.
PROSPECTS FOR COP21
An effective and binding agreement
to be reached at COP21 in Paris
in 2015 is possible. Much depends
on countries’ willingness to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, to finance
an energy transition, to put in place
fiscal mechanisms. However, much also
depends on companies. Business has a
key role in climate action. Throughout
next year, the UN Global Compact
will mobilise businesses and organise
the Caring for Climate Business Forum
during COP21. More than 1,500
companies will be gathered to show
that they are ready for a new global
economy that accounts for climate
change. A preparatory business meeting
to COP21 will take place in May 2015
at UNESCO in Paris.
The collective will to rise to the
challenge of climate change has never
been stronger – the world is eager
for meaningful action on climate
change. Business leaders are invited
to join Caring for Climate, become
champions of carbon pricing, support
climate policies, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions in line with the science,
and come to the Caring for Climate
Business Forum in December 2015
during COP21 in Paris.
"Much depends on
countries’ willingness to
reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, to finance an
energy transition, to put in
place fiscal mechanisms."
The People’s Climate March in September 2014 saw 400,000
people in the streets of New York, and thousands of others in cities
around the world, collectively demanding action on climate change
Lila Karbassi is Head of Environment
and Climate at the United Nations Global
Compact, the UN’s corporate responsibility
initiative for businesses that are committed to
aligning their operations and strategies with
ten universally accepted principles in the areas
of human rights, labour, environment and
anti-corruption (over 12,000 participants
from over 145 countries). Ms. Karbassi has
extensive experience in the field of environment
and climate change. She was in charge of the
Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum
and currently oversees Caring for Climate,
the UN's business leadership initiative aimed
at advancing the role of the private sector
in climate change. Caring for Climate is
comprised of 400 companies from 60 countries.
Caring for Climate was launched by UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2007, and
is the UN Global Compact, UN Environment
Programme and the secretariat of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change’s
initiative to advance the role of business
in addressing climate change. It provides a
framework for business leaders to implement
practical climate change solutions and help
shape public policy. Chief executive officers who
endorse the initiative are prepared to set goals,
develop and expand strategies and practices, and
to publicly disclose emissions. The Caring for
Climate Business Forum is held every year at
the UN Climate Change Conference (COP/
CMP), providing a platform for dialogue and
action among business, investors, civil society,
the UN and Government officials. Caring for
Climate is endorsed by nearly 400 companies
from 60 countries.
www.caringforclimate.org
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