Climate change

Business leaders meet to finalize plans ahead of COP15

  • 28 October 2009

ICC and business community experts met last week in Paris to discuss and finalize plans ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Copenhagen.

The meetings culminated in a Business PrepComm meeting held on Friday with representatives from a large number of business organisations in attendance.

“All over the world, businesses large and small are addressing climate change at local, national and international levels, both as enterprises and through partnerships,” said Nick Campbell, Chair, ICC Task force on Climate Change. “Many have already made major changes in how they operate and have seized opportunities for new processes, products and services to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

As business and industry focal point for UNFCCC negotiations, ICC brings a wide range of business voices and solutions to help tackle the climate change challenge. During the meeting it was made clear that business is part of the solution and already actively engaged.

During COP 15, in addition to coordinating activities as business and industry focal point, ICC will be active on many fronts. The centerpiece will be the 11 December Copenhagen Business Day ICC will co-organize with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Confederation of Danish Industries.

In addition ICC will present a series of business events and meetings that will demonstrate the role of business in meeting the climate challenge in conjunction with partners such as the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The private sector is a critical partner in creating solutions to the climate change challenge and is already actively engaged on many fronts. A deal in Copenhagen will provide the private sector with the clarity it needs to invest and develop and deploy technology to enable a transition to a low-carbon economy.

“ICC welcomes the efforts of negotiators to conclude ambitious agreement in Copenhagen,” said Laurent Corbier, Chairman ICC Commission on Environment and Energy. “ICC supports and needs a comprehensive agreement that will enhance and enable the contribution of business and provide the private sector with clarity, predictability and continuity.”

More information on ICC activities in Copenhagen will be posted on the ICC website in the coming weeks.