Formerly the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary, De Boer noted that the climate change negotiations were an intergovernmental process, but felt that business should have a stronger voice in the process, particularly since climate change was increasingly becoming an issue at the boardroom level.
“Business must come forward more often with a business view [on climate change negotiations]. Hopefully South Africa's CEO forum can play a role in that," he added.
This recently established forum has some 40 private sector members from various sectors of the economy, and was engaging with the South African government regarding climate change issues.
De Boer said that companies could make the business case for action on climate change, and this input was necessary at the global negotiations. Ultimately however, it was up to governments to put in place the policies and frameworks and define the process for progress on the matter.
He said that it was unlikely that business would get a seat at the table at the UNFCCC negotiations.
De Boer said that when it was boiled down to its essence, the reason why the world was not progressing on environmental concerns was because the case for green growth has not been effectively made. “As long as we can pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere without cost, we won't see reform," he reiterated. Read the full report here.
Source: by Christy van der Merwe, Engineering News.
