CBI calls for global climate plan

The CBI, which represents 190,000 UK businesses, said the gathering offered an opportunity to create the long-term frameworks that they craved, and hence had the full support of the British business community.

“So much effort has been put into agreeing frameworks ready for Paris, we simply cannot afford to fall at the last hurdle, and delay a lasting, global plan for climate action,” said Rhian Kelly, CBI director of business environment policy.

We all know there is no easy answer to climate change. But, business and industry are part of the solution - developing innovative new products and services, and leading the way in cutting emissions, to propel us towards a low carbon future.

Rhian Kelly, CBI director of business environmental policy

She said British businesses were seeking a clear sense of direction, and support for carbon pricing that would drive future investment.

“All businesses, especially energy-intensive industries, will be looking for an international deal which helps create a level playing field, and that keeps the UK competitive,” she said.

 “We all know there is no easy answer to climate change. But, business and industry are part of the solution - developing innovative new products and services, and leading the way in cutting emissions, to propel us towards a low carbon future.”

The CBI is not alone in its call for strong leadership at the negotiating table.

In July, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) joined forces with 23 prominent UK organisations to urge governments to take action on climate change.

A Climate Communiqué issued by the group outlined an urgent need to transition to a zero-carbon energy economy by early in the second half of the century. It called on the UK government to demonstrate leadership by “recognising the risks climate change poses, embracing appropriate policy and technological responses, and seizing the opportunities of low-carbon and climate-resilient growth”.

Some large companies have also joined the call with consumer goods giant Unilever last week announcing plans to become carbon positive by 2030.    

The company said it planned to source 100% of the energy across its operations from renewables by 2030, and aimed to eliminate coal from its energy mix by 2020.

Schneider Electric, the energy management and automation, supplier also unveiled 10 commitments for sustainability this week, including plans for all of its plants and sites to become carbon neutral within the next 15 years. It also pledged to “support and challenge business partners to reduce their own energy consumption by 30% through active energy efficiency solutions” it said.

“Our role is to make sure that Life is On for everyone, everywhere, at every moment,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and chief executive at Schneider Electric.

”Sustainability is thus at the heart of our company strategy. At Schneider Electric, we are convinced that better climate means better economy. We believe we are living a very exciting time where new technologies enable us to completely rethink the way we deal with energy in a far more sustainable and efficient manner.”

A new venture called The Breakthrough Energy Coalition was also launched this week in Paris, to be led by billionaire philanthropist, Bill Gates.

The coalition is a group of private investors that will take on some of the business risks that will allow early-stage energy companies to get innovation out of the lab and into the marketplace.

The group said it would invest in companies developing the best solutions for making reliable zero-carbon energy available to everyone at an affordable price. 

The Breakthrough Energy Coalition is made up of more than 25 investors from 10 countries, and will work in conjunction with Mission Innovation. This is an international effort of more than 15 governments (including the UK) to double their investments in clean energy research and development over the next five years.

Also launched this week at Paris, Mission Innovation will focus on “transformational clean energy technology innovations that are scalable to varying economic and energy market conditions” among participating countries, and the broader world.