Business leaders urge climate action
Friday, 20 Jun 2008 11:12
The businesses have outlined ways of reducing carbon emissions
Over 100 businesses have set out their vision for the environment in a document presented to world leaders ahead of the G8 meeting next month.
The statement has been endorsed by the chief executives of some of the world's largest companies including British Airways, Deutsche Bank and Shell.
It was given today to Japan's prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, who will host the G8 meeting, by the World Economic Forum (WEF) executive chairman Klaus Schwab.
The document outlines a more "environmentally effective and economically efficient" long-term policy framework to succeed the Kyoto agreement when it expires in 2012.
In their recommendations the chief executives urge adoption of a rapid and fundamental strategy by governments to bring about a low-carbon world economy.
They call on the G8 and other developed country governments to provide leadership through substantial cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions as well as direct work with the international business community to develop a strategy of cost-effective, medium-term carbon reduction opportunities.
"The business community has a crucial contribution to make to the design of a more effective global strategy to combat global warming, and these business leaders are sending a clear message to governments that they are willing and able to engage with ideas and other support if invited to do so," said Mr Schwab.
"Having reached consensus among leading firms from virtually every industry and region, they have given us a concrete vision of how the international community could construct a plan that is both environmentally and economically sound."
He added that he hopes the document will be "a source of inspiration for everyone" and not just the G8 leaders.