Call to Action for Sustainable Business
24 May 2007 at 1:33 pm
Australian business leaders have been told that the need for concerted action on climate change is more important than ever before.
The call to action came during the 8th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development in Brisbane this month.
The Forum brought together a group of leaders and champions of sustainability from the corporate sector, government and Not for Profit organisations.
The Chair of the forum Dr John Hewson stressed the urgent need for leadership from business, calling active participation on how Australia can move forward on solutions to climate change.
Forum convenor Molly Harriss Olson of EcoFutures said the focus of the forum was on action, focusing on the solutions that are going to create a healthy planet and prosperous business.
Dr Michael Molitor CEO and Founder of CarbonShift Ltd spoke on carbon trading and finance and the emerging global opportunity for Australia.
He said Australia needs a reduction of 600 billion tonnes of Carbon and that this would create a capital market activation of approximately $15 trillion.
This represents great opportunities for business to show leadership on solutions for climate change.
Sue Hall CEO and Founder of Climate Neutral Business Network USA said the more creative business gets the more compounding the business benefits can be.
The forum also set out to recognise outstanding leadership. The 4th Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) was announced at the Forum. (details of the CRI results are also in this edition)
Both Westpac Banking Corporation and Toyota Australia received a CRI Leader Award. The Best Progress Award went to Minter Ellison Lawyers and the Best Newcomer Award to Country Energy.
Dr Steve Koonin Chief Scientist at BP plc and keynote speaker at the forum dinner said society has a responsibility to promote and participate in an open dialogue on technology and policy choices aimed at substantial impact in the most efficient manner.
