Inaugural Climate Change & Business Trade Expo 04

News Release

Register for the inaugural Climate Change & Business: The Australia-New Zealand Conference and Trade Expo 04

4-5 November, 2004 Auckland

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (the Business Council) is delighted to be partnering the inaugural Climate Change & Business Conference to be opened by the Prime Minister in November. This joint Australia and New Zealand conference will explore the business opportunities and risks that arise out of a carbon constrained economy.

The Business Council is one of seven organising partners from New Zealand, Australia, USA and Europe. Other partners include:

- Environmental Defence Society
- NZ Council of Trade Unions
- Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy
- Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Pew Center on Global Climate Change (USA)
- Point Carbon (Norway)

The speakers reflect this global spread. Keynote speakers include Dr Richard Bradley, from the International Energy Agency in Paris and the former US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Hon Eileen Claussen, President Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Speakers from China and Japan will scope the significant opportunities for our businesses in those countries.

Peter Neilson, Chief Executive of the Business Council, has welcomed the initiative: - “This conference will provide an ideal platform for New Zealand businesses to benefit from world-leading experts in climate change and energy. The agenda moves beyond discussions about whether countries should or shouldn’t ratify Kyoto to the real message, which is that climate change is taking place and that business has a crucial role to play in developing solutions to reduce the actual and potential effects of climate change.

“We need to stimulate these activities because they represent opportunities for business to display intelligent entrepreneurship, operational efficiencies, responsible risk management and good corporate citizenship.

“For most of us climate change only really hits home when we see the images of flooding in Central North Island and the devastating impact on families and local businesses. On the world stage, the images are no less dramatic. For example the land area affected by fires worldwide last year is the equivalent of 10 times the area of New Zealand,” said Mr Neilson.

The Conference is designed for business leaders and policy makers and has the support of both the Australian and New Zealand Governments. Speakers will describe the size and nature of emerging carbon markets, provide background on regional governments’ policies and incentives and will describe new technologies and scope business risks.

Conference Convenor Gary Taylor says: “ The diversity of the speakers’ backgrounds and global experience means that New Zealand will be hosting this year’s leading forum on the business opportunities and risks arising from climate change.

“This is the first joint Australia – New Zealand conference on Climate Change and we plan to host a second in Australia in early 2006. Climate change is an issue which none of us can afford to ignore and forward thinking businesses are factoring this into their risk management and business planning,” Mr Taylor concluded.

Full details of the conference programme are available on www.climateandbusiness.com

For information: -

The Business Council is a coalition of around 50 leading businesses united by a shared commitment to sustainable development via the three pillars of economic growth, environmental protection and social progress. Its mission is to provide business leadership as a catalyst for change towards sustainable development, and promotes eco-efficiency, innovation and responsible entrepreneurship.

Peter Neilson was appointed Chief Executive in April 2004 to spearhead the Business Council’s move towards policy development and advocacy work. Peter is a former Minister of Revenue, Customs and Works and was Associate Minister for State-Owned Enterprises and Finance under the Lange Labour Government. Following a period as Leader of the Opposition’s Economic Advisor, Peter moved to private industry, managing a number of international advisory roles, with Ernst & Young and more recently with the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.

The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) is a professionally based environmental policy and advocacy group that seeks to work constructively with business. EDS organizes conferences, engages in policy research and analysis and uses legal processes to encourage good environmental outcomes.

Gary Taylor is chairman of the Board of EDS and has brought together the partners in this conference. He has held numerous roles in local and regional government, health and the water industry. He is currently a director of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority.

ENDS

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