Climate change

Global chambers mobilise for ambitious climate action

  • 11 July 2019
Global chambers mobilise for ambitious climate action

In an overwhelming show of support from the global business community, more than 450 chambers across the world have joined the Chambers Climate Coalition in the first weeks after its launch.

Spanning six continents, initial signatories of the Chambers Climate Coalition represent chambers of commerce from countries including Brazil, Chile, China, India, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States.

The initiative continues to gain momentum as participants returning home after the World Chambers Congress bring the pledge to their constituencies.

Launched during the opening ceremony of the 11th World Chambers Congress, the Chambers Climate Coalition provides a platform for chambers to visibly demonstrate their commitment to take action aligned with the Paris Agreement and the latest climate science. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the important role chambers can play in driving the transition to a cleaner and more resilient planet. Through the coalition, ICC will provide resources to chambers to enable effective local engagement and access to support for member companies who are seeking to take ambitious climate action.

ICC’s Director of Inclusive and Green Growth Majda Dabaghi said:

“We believe there is a clear imperative to ‘Make Climate Action Everyone’s Business’. We launched the Chambers Climate Coalition because we recognise the immense power that local action can have to address climate change. It’s tremendous to see such momentum building through ICC’s global network in support of bold climate action.”

In addition to the Coalition, ICC’s “Make Climate Change Everyone’s Business” campaign has included targeted letters to Senior Environment Ministers, the launch of the Business Ambition for 1.5 Degree Campaign with major United Nations partners, and taking a leading role in the recent Global Pact for the Environment negotiations. The mobilisation will continue into and beyond the United Nations’ General Assembly Week during the UN Climate Summit and the SDG Business Forum.

ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:

“We are proud of the commitment shown by leading chambers to addressing the pressing issue of climate change on all fronts. I look forward to continuing our work with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate to raise the ambition of the private sector on climate in the lead up to September’s Summit.”

Hamad Buamim, Chairman of the World Chambers Federation and President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a signatory of the Coalition said:

“Chambers play a key role in helping businesses adapt to the challenges and opportunity of the many disruptions impacting today’s business and social landscapes. Dubai Chamber is a proud signatory of the Chambers Climate Coalition which is proactively mobilising the chamber community to make a real difference through concrete and achievable climate action. We encourage more chambers to join the Coalition to demonstrate the leadership and collective influence of chambers in building a brighter future for all.”

As part of a recently announced partnership with the Perlin Network, a blockchain and distributed ledger technology developer, ICC aims to engage with members in over 100 countries to drive blockchain adoption globally – with an emphasis on fostering more sustainable industries. With this initiative, all 450 signatories to the Chambers Climate Coalition will be offering Perlin’s supply chain tracker Clarify, a supply chain transparency tool, to their member companies. Perlin CEO, Dorjee Sun:

“450 chambers could potentially represent millions of businesses seeking to monitor and then hopefully reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains. Clarify can track on the blockchain the provenance and traceability of inputs as well as potentially provide estimated ranges of carbon emissions where distance travelled and mode of transport data is collected.”

ICC and Perlin have already started working closely with many chambers including a full pilot with the Solomon Islands Chambers of Commerce and Industry, representing businesses in a region of the world particularly concerned with rising sea levels.

Is your chamber ready to take action on climate? Join the Coalition today.