Corporate Responsibility on the National Agenda
22 May 2008 at 1:28 pm
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has delivered his first national address on sustainability and climate change at the at the National Business Leaders Forum for the announcement of the Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) Awards in Canberra.
His speech was called: A sustainable future for Australia and our role in global solutions.
Prime Minister Rudd called for leadership from the international community in responding to the long-term sustainability and security challenges of energy, food and water resources.
In particular he said pointed to the importance of business leadership in Australia’s response to the challenges of climate change and sustainability.
He says the Government has a long-term strategy to address climate change, including how to advance the climate change and sustainability policy agenda.
The PM says the Government has a comprehensive plan of action, and the need for business leadership on sustainability challenges is greater than ever.
He says Governments must create the right frameworks and incentives, but business leadership is needed in adopting efficiency measures, mobilising capital, creating new markets, developing new technologies, driving innovation, deepening the skills base and developing partnerships across the whole community.
He says Government, the business community, scientific experts and community organisations must work together if to tackle the challenges of climate change and seize the long-term opportunities opening up for Australia in low carbon energy technologies and environmental services.
Rudd said the Australian community expects businesses to provide leadership on climate change – in their own power consumption, their investment policies and across all of their business activities.
