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UK Network and BIS host an Outreach Event on Sustainability and Climate Change - Post Copenhagen
Monday, December 14, 2009

On 14th December 2009, the Global Compact UK Network and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) co-hosted an event around the theme of the Low Carbon Economy and the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and its potential implications for the UK and the sustainable agenda generally.

Anthony Murphy, Director of Services, Sustainability & Olympics, BIS welcomed participants from business, civil society and government to the conference, which was held at the BIS offices in London. Presentation and discussion topics were wide ranging, from the potential implications of the transition to a low carbon economy for UK industry to the importance of engaging business, workers and government, and harnessing markets to drive innovation.

Speakers included:

Ian Lucas MP, Minister for Business & Regulatory Reform, BIS
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman, UN Global Compact Foundation
Janet Williamson, Policy Advisor, TUC
Cornis van der Lugt, UN Environment Program

Sir Mark-Moody Stuart, Chairman, UN Global Compact Foundation outlined the important role of Local Networks in encouraging companies to share their experience and lessons learnt.

Regarding the specific challenge of adapting to climate change, he added: “If we get the right frameworks in place, markets deliver things at astonishing speeds. We should call for sensible regulatory frameworks… We need regulation that drives the creativity of the market.” As well as outlining the core principals of the Global Compact, he also discussed fundamental initiatives such as the CEO Water Mandate which was set up in July 2007 to assist companies implement water sustainability policies and practices.

Other key themes that emerged during the conference included the need for dialogue to help industry understand the future challenges as well as solutions and opportunities, the importance of raising awareness through education campaigns to engage workers and to overcome cynicism within the UK population with regards to climate change, and the role that markets can play in increasing the speed of innovation.

Related links
Trades Union Congress: www.tuc.org.uk
United Nations Environment programme: www.unep.org
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills: www.bis.gov.uk
Posted on 14/12/2009

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