Corporate environmentalism takes centre stage
Ruwanthi Abeyakoon
Climate change should be integrated into sustainable development and
both issues should be addressed together, Co-Winner 2007 Nobel Peace
Prize and Vice Chairman UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
Prof. Mohan Munasinghe said.
Addressing a forum on `Corporate environmentalism titled Good for
your business, good for the environment' organised by the American
Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Sri Lanka he said crafting strategies
that address climate change and sustainable development simultaneously
should be created.
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Prof. Mohan Munasinghe |
"The two issues are highly interconnected. Climate change affects
development prospects and development paths determine the future
climate. The practical methods now exist for integrating climate change
responses into sustainable development strategies," Prof. Munasinghe
said.
"Indeed the existence of these tools should help dispel the concern
of many policymakers that tackling climate change might divert resources
that are sorely needed to deal with more immediate development problems,
such as growth, poverty, food security, ill health, unemployment and
inflation," he said.
Prof. Munasinghe noted that climate change affects every citizen in
the world. "Developing countries also have to participate in mitigation.
Business has a key role to play in this. Changing people's behavior and
consumption pattern is very important in industrial countries.
Developing countries should focus on adaptation and industrial
countries should show commitment. A need for products that are
environment benign should be created," he said.
Head of Corporate Communication and Sustainability, DHL Singapore,
Anita Gupta said the sustainability based approach is increasing in
customers.
"DHL is investing in solar panels and through the `go green' strategy
we are also looking at alternative fuel.
We will be changing 90 per cent of our fleet and decrease the use of
aircraft. We have adopted energy efficient methods. We also encourage
our employees to use public transport," she said. |
