International gathering to build on environmental momentum

Following a successful event in 2007, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Global Compact have announced the second B4E — Business for the Environment Global Summit — to be held in Singapore from 22 to 23 April 2008.

“If the world is to successfully navigate the Bali Road Map to the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen in 2009, ways and means need to be found to mobilise and focus the trillions of dollars in the world’s financial and capital markets on the greening of the global economy,” said Achim Steiner, UN under-secretary general and executive director of UNEP.

“This ‘greening’ is already underway driven by the existing emissions reduction treaty — the Kyoto Protocol — and the anticipation of even deeper cuts from a post-2012 climate regime. I look forward to the B4E conference playing its part in stepping up, accelerating and mainstreaming these real, tangible but currently fledgling transitions. Ones that promise a more resource-efficient world and a new way of doing business in the 21^st century.”

Held over two days, the summit will focus on the global economic and financial impact environmental concerns in the areas of resource efficiencies, renewable energies, new business models and climate strategies. Through high-level discussion, delegates will learn the best practices for identifying and managing the risks posed by climate change and explore the practical solutions that are available for enterprises to adopt greener corporate practices that make solid business sense and are a source of competitive advantage.

The B4E Global Summit 2008 will feature roundtables and panel discussions with leaders from global companies, governments, non-governmental organisations and civil societies.

“What we are calling for this year is for companies everywhere to take the first step to find a green solution and not wait for government policies and incentives. By galvanising the business community for an ongoing dialogue around environmental stewardship, the B4E Summit has the power to make an immediate and significant change in the way we do business,” said Georg Kell, executive director of the UN Global Compact.

This year’s event is also held in conjunction with the UNEP Champions of the Earth 2008 awards presentation at a gala dinner on 22 April 2008. The laureates of this award have spearheaded outstanding initiatives in many different areas from environmental policy to cutting-edge research, with a particular focus on sustainable development and the fight against climate change.

For more information, visit www.B4Esummit.com.