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Much has been written about the economic climate, but it is the changes affecting the altogether more important climate of our planet that are more deserving of attention. Most people would accept the stakes are too high to ignore those scientists who tell us our climate is being affected by carbon emissions and that we need to act quickly or face grave consequences. We in the developed world have twin responsibilities. Developing countries aspire to match our standard of living, yet are faced with howls of protests from the rest of us whose actions over the past century now make that aspiration unsustainable. We need to both decarbonise our own society and help the developing world progress in new, sustainable, ways. The recent Prince’s May Day Summit on Climate Change was the third such event convened by Business in the Community, and was the largest gathering of businesses committed to taking action to tackle carbon emissions. The Summit took place simultaneously at ten locations around the UK, and I was privileged to chair one of the largest events, at 11 Brindleyplace. The May Day Network is a forum for businesses to share knowledge and best practice, whilst helping members understand the business benefits of taking action on climate change. To join, businesses pledge to take action on climate change and some of the Midland’s largest organisations have already pledged. Do your bit; simply visit www.bitc.org.uk and sign up. The Summit featured a live video link with explorer Pen Hadow in the Arctic. In his “May Day” broadcast, he expressed dismay at how thin his team had found the snow and ice, much of it formed only over the past winter, suggesting it will melt this summer. Prince Charles gave a passionate speech exhorting the business community to give a lead in the fight to reduce carbon emissions, a message endorsed by Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. This plea to the business community cannot be ignored, but equally, government must play its part, especially in the current economic turmoil. Last month’s budget gave cause for optimism. Extensive column inches devoted to the parlous state of the nation’s finances overshadowed some significant “green” measures, notably the increased subsidy designed to kick start the stalled, credit crunched, offshore wind industry. We need to make very quick progress in massively decarbonising our power industry. The carbon capture and storage industry also received a boost in the budget, and if we want a balanced generation portfolio with a place for coal, then getting this technology off the drawing board is essential. There was also help for small scale power generation, and a financial stimulus package aimed at energy efficiency measures and clean tech manufacturing – good news for the Midlands which is well placed to take advantage. For further information please contact: Andrew Whitehead, Partner
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