ICC welcomes publication of the consensus between governments and scientists reflected in the Summary for Policymakers of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I, Fourth Assessment Report.

ICC has been pleased to work in partnership with IPCC, contributing business perspectives and experiences and providing input on technical options that will be the subject of additional IPCC reports to be released later this year.

In describing knowledge regarding human influence on climate in terms of probability ranges, the IPCC report has made an important step forward in quantifying understanding and uncertainty on this subject. The report provides a firm foundation for discussions between governments on the risks from climate change and on how to tackle the complex issue’s many aspects, including environment, energy, economic and development. The implications of on-going developments in industrialized and developing countries must be considered.

The IPCC report also confirms that climate change is a global issue that can only be tackled through a sustained international response from all parties concerned. For example, the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook showed that a massive $20 trillion must be invested to respond to global energy requirements by 2030. Meeting this and other related challenges will mean closely involving business in the search for solutions. 

For ICC, climate change is a long-term issue. We will continue to engage in matters of mitigation and adaptation as the IPCC and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change processes move ahead. Our members will continue to take action to combat the risks of climate change. We urge governments to put in place the appropriate frameworks that will encourage further technological innovation, investment and deployment, research and international cooperation.  

ICC looks forward to continuing to work with governments to develop global and national action plans that will both protect the environment and spur the global economic growth that is vital to sustaining a long-term international approach to tackling climate change.