COP 17: Business shouldn't try to save tomorrow, but shape it

Businesses must stop looking to save the world and do what they do best: create, innovate and market.

Some businesses are at last starting to see the transformational changes we need to make to move forward in a way that is safe for the planet and its people.

Surely this should be the message into COP 17 at Durban.  The Prince’s Mayday Network is convened by Business in the Community and is a community of businesses working to combat climate change through transforming the way they manage their resources, market their products and engage their stakeholders.

We released our annual report last week and standing out amongst the encouraging statistics and stories included within the report is a glimmer of hope for the future. To read the online version of the annual report click here.

A shift in perception:  Last year 76% of respondents stated that they could not foresee a future in which their business will be able to turn a profit without emitting greenhouse gases. This year 90% of reporters disagreed with this statement.

Perhaps some businesses are at last starting to see the transformational changes we need to make to move forward in a way that is safe for the planet and its people, while also prosperous and plentiful, as an opportunity for the innovators who have succeeded in business to date and one that can create and sustain employment opportunities for the future, not simply a problem for environmentalists to solve. 

The strap line for COP 17 'Save tomorrow, today'' is a valid one, but in this time of recession when our own government, one of the most historically committed to the 'green agenda' in the world is telling us we 'can't afford climate change', surely we need to position the argument to those less active rather differently.

We need to feel excited that solutions will be unearthed, not simply dread that once again the necessary breakthroughs and agreements will be made. A move to 'shape tomorrow today' perhaps.