COPENHAGEN SUMMIT TO ADD BUSINESS VOICE TO POST-KYOTO NEGOTIATIONS

NEW YORK, 12 May (Global Compact Office) -– The United Nations Global Compact, the Copenhagen Climate Council, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change will convene a World Business Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen on 24 to 26 May 2009.  The Summit aims to ensure that a new global policy framework on climate change takes into account the needs of the business community and provides the right incentives for cutting carbon emissions.

The Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force in 2005, sets binding targets for Governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.  The Fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Climate Change, to be convened in December 2009, will bring together Government ministers from 189 countries to negotiate and adopt a post-Kyoto framework.  It is expected that the new framework will commit Governments to cut emissions further. 

The World Business Summit on Climate Change will take place at a critical time in the negotiation process, six months prior to COP 15.  The Summit will bring together hundreds of top executives with Governments, leading scientists and heads of civil society to explore how business can contribute to solve the climate crisis through innovative business models, new partnerships and the development of low-carbon technologies.  Participants will outline the business perspective on a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change and present ideas and solutions to best tackle climate change without compromising prosperity and growth.

The Summit will produce a set of collective recommendations to the world’s political leaders negotiating the new climate treaty.

About Copenhagen Climate Council

The Copenhagen Climate Council is a global collaboration between international business and science founded by the leading independent think tank in Scandinavian, Monday Morning.  The members of the Copenhagen Climate Council have come together to create global awareness of the importance of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009 and to ensure support and assistance to global decision makers when agreeing on a new climate treaty.  They will send a clear message that addressing climate change while allowing for continued economic growth and prosperity is possible given the right political framework.  For more information, please visit www.copenhagenclimatecouncil.com.

About United Nations Global Compact

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact brings business together with UN agencies, labour, civil society and Governments to advance 10 universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.  Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to mainstream these 10 principles in business activities around the world and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals.  With over 4,100 participating companies and hundreds of other stakeholders from more than 120 countries, it is the world's largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative.  For more information, please visit www.unglobalcompact.org.

About World Business Council for Sustainable Development

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a CEO-led, global association of some 200 companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development.  The Council provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices, and to advocate business positions on these issues in a variety of forums, working with Governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations.  Members are drawn from more than 35 countries and 20 major industrial sectors.  The Council also benefits from a global network of about 55 national and regional business councils and regional partners.  For more information, please visit www.wbcsd.org.

About Pew Center on Global Climate Change

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change brings together business leaders, policymakers, scientists and other experts to bring a new approach to a complex and often controversial issue.  The Pew Center’s approach is based on sound science, straight talk, and a belief that we can work together to protect the climate while sustaining economic growth.  For more information, please visit www.pewclimate.org.

Contacts

For more information, please contact:  Lila Karbassi, United Nations Global Compact Office, tel.: +1 917 367 3648; Johannah Christensen, Copenhagen Climate Council, tel.: +45 20 98 92 62; Lynette Thorstensen, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, tel.: +41 22 839 3141.

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