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World
business calls for a fresh approach to address climate change
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| Can
business meet the world's demand for energy to sustain economic growth
and development while addressing climate change risks? |
Buenos
Aires, 9 December 2004
-- Even as the Kyoto Protocol is set to take effect, stark differences
among delegates gathered here at an international conference on climate
change highlight the challenge of how to proceed beyond 2012.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) today called on governments
to establish a more effective and forward-looking approach to address
clima
te risks. ICC's recommended approach would promote global participation
by emphasizing cleaner development and technology.
The call was made
during the 10th Conference of the Parties of the U.N Framework convention
on Climate Change.
"The challenge
is to meet the world's growing demand for energy to sustain economic growth
and development while addressing climate risks," stated Nick Campbell,
Chair, ICC Task Force on Climate Change. "The current divergence
of approaches among countries on how to address the climate challenge
raises serious questions around whether a progression of binding targets
can marshal a sustained global response or chart a common path forward.
It is vital that we learn lessons from today for tomorrow."
At a briefing today,
ICC representatives urged governments to draw up an agenda for future
talks under the U.N. Framework Convention that would more effectively
address a wide range of issues related to energy, development, competitiveness,
commercial and technology considerations. The recommendations were described
in an ICC statement entitled, "Business perspectives on a long-term
international policy approach to address global climate change."
Nations now confront
the enormous challenge of considering climate policy beyond the first
commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. The 1997 agreement, which enters
into force in February, sets emissions targets for developed countries
from 2008 to 2012. Concerns have been expressed about the feasibility
and economic impacts of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as its effectiveness
in reducing climate change risks in any significant way. Emissions obligations
and policy approaches differ considerably even among those countries implementing
the Kyoto Protocol. ICC notes that such differences inevitably raise competitiveness
concerns for nations and business.
ICC recognizes that
climate change risks are a significant long-term concern. Brian Flannery,
Vice Chairman of the ICC Environment and Energy Commission, noted that,
"business and industry have actively addressed climate change for
some time by investing in and promoting energy efficiency and conservation,
by conducting research and development for innovative technologies, and
by commercializing efficient products and processes throughout the world."
Concerning growing
emissions from developing countries, Mandy Rambharos, of Eskom, South
Africa, said that, "developing countries would address climate concerns
in the context of pressing priorities to promote economic development,
eradicate poverty and overcome serious local and environmental challenges.
This will require investment in efficient technologies that promote cleaner
development."
As governments consider how to proceed, ICC believes that it is essential
to formulate more inclusive and effective longer-term options, taking
into account their full environmental, economic and social consequences.
"Long-term international cooperation should focus on an approach
that promotes global participation, and encourages the long-term development,
commercialization and global diffusion of advanced energy, carbon sequestration
and adaptation technologies," stated Masayuki Sasanouchi, environmental
affairs representative of Keidanren, the Japanese business industry association.
For
more information please contact:
Mary
Kelly, Communications Director, Tel. +33 (0)1 49 53 2987
Email: Click here to send a mail
Business
perspectives on a long-term international policy approach to address global
climate change
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