Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged his support for a new organization dedicated to accelerating the world's response to climate change.
Launched in London,
The Climate Group is a global organization bringing together corporations, financial institutions, civil organizations, and state city and national governments that will work together to accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions. By pooling the knowledge of leading reducers of CO2 emissions, and creating an arena for a formal exchange for ideas and practical experience, The Climate Group hopes to become “a catalyst for accelerating progress,” say its organizers.
"The Climate Group is looking beyond Kyoto, which is a first step in driving reductions,” says Dr. Steve Howard, the group’s chief executive. “We know that there are many leading companies and governments dedicated to meeting or exceeding those targets. By bringing the key players together for the first time, we believe that the world can turn the corner on climate change.”
“Climate change is real and there is no single solution,” Howard continued. “Instead, there is a wide range of choices which we can all make whether we are responsible for a major corporation; a national government or our own individual actions. Many of these solutions are cost effective, and in many cases such as BP's and Dupont's experience, they can create significant profit. I am delighted that we already have the support of many of the world's leading reducers including the UK Government which has committed to put its emissions on track for a 60% reduction by 2050."
"Climate change is the most important environmental issue facing the world today,” says Blair. “By bringing together progressive businesses, states and cities from across the world, The Climate Group will enable these organizations to show leadership, and to demonstrate the benefits of taking early action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. I welcome the launch of The Climate Group and look forward to hearing of its progress."
Over the next few months, the new group will:
- Hold a major conference for leading “reducers” in Toronto in mid-May. Subsequent meetings in Europe, California, and Australia are planned.
- Launch a range of working groups to identify best practice and define leadership on a range of areas including, banking, transport, and retailing.
- Launch, in early 2005, a “Carbon University,” as a center of learning and best practice for organizations wanting to improve their performance in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
- Publish a globally comprehensive Climate Index annually starting in June 2004. This will be a tool allowing companies and local and regional governments to assess their range of actions to reduce emissions and identify best practice.
- Document and publish a growing series of case studies on leaders in the field of reducing emissions.
