As the UN climate talks in Paris come to a close, attention will turn to putting words into action – not just from governments but also companies.
In the lead up to the UN talks we heard a plethora of pledges from major businesses. Marks & Spencer, Ikea and Walmart pledged to use 100% renewable electricity, while 98 other companies, including China Steel, Renault and Sony committed to “science-based emissions reduction targets”.
But can we believe them? Will 2016 turn out to be the year business helped kick start a global movement to reduce climate emissions, or will the mountains of press releases and public posturing turn out to be a greenwash?
There are valid reasons for scepticism. VW was acclaimed for its leadership on sustainability, before it later turned out to be rigging its cars to hide the true levels of NOx emissions from testers. Shell helped set up the Prince of Wales climate change project that it was later forced to leave after trying to drill for oil in the Arctic.
On January 12th from 7-8:30pm, Guardian Sustainable Business will be hosting a panel debate, in partnership with Nordea Responsible Investments, where we will discuss the role of business in tackling climate change.
The event will feature a guest panel of:
- Katherine Garrett-Cox, CEO of Alliance Trust and a high-profile city advocate on climate change
- Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP and long-time campaigner on climate change
- Steve Howard, head of sustainability at Ikea, which has made a variety of climate pledges
- Kevin Anderson, from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research
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Sasja Beslik, from Nordea Responsible Investments, which plans to ditch some of its coal investments
More to be announced.
*Sign up for tickets and join us for the event
You can also join our LinkedIn group discussing the roles and responsibilities of business in tackling climate change.
Do you have a questions you’d like to put to the panel?
Fill out the form below and we’ll include as many as possible in the Q&A session at the event.
