Corporate leaders, representing a broad cross-section of the Canadian economy, today released a call to action on climate change and energy in advance of the November 28 - December 9, 2005 United Nations Climate Change Conference: Montreal 2005.

The Executive Forum on Climate Change October 7, 2005, was asked by Prime Minister Paul Martin to provide the Government of Canada advice on how to move forward in the international climate negotiations and in Canada.

"Through our collective actions, Canadian business is demonstrating that it is possible to foster a climate for change while maintaining competitive excellence, growth, and profitability. All governments and citizens, corporations and consumers have a responsibility to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to develop long-term mechanisms to minimise the global impacts of climate change," said Travis Engen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Inc., on behalf of Executive Forum signatories.

The advice, submitted to the PM November 16 (available at www.climateforchange.ca) urges a sustainable development strategy to 2050, with clear markers along the way, to assure strong economic growth, allow the discovery of long-term value for carbon emission reductions and address the need for adaptation in the face of climate change.

The Canadian Chair of the United Nations Climate Change Conference should aim at:

    
    -  Launching a process and work plan that would support development by
       2008-2009 of a climate friendly post Kyoto (after 2012) regime that
       includes both developed and developing countries.
    -  Sending a clear political signal that the post-2012 regime will target
       development and deployment of low-carbon technology and will continue
       to develop market-based-instruments including the Kyoto mechanisms.
    -  Improving the operation of the Clean Development Mechanism.
    -  Agreeing to an adaptation package to invest in hazard information,
       risk assessment and warning systems and best practices in resilient
       infrastructure and buildings.

With respect to Canada, corporate leaders strongly urge the Prime Minister to:

    
    -  Develop, respecting provincial/territorial jurisdiction and the need
       to maintain a competitive national economy, a long-term energy
       strategy that positions Canada at the vanguard of new transformative
       energy technology.
    -  On an urgent basis, target strategic investments and incentives in
       world-class carbon dioxide capture, transport and storage and low-
       impact renewable energy, including green power, green heat and
       advanced bio-fuels.
    -  Develop a climate extremes strategy that encourages investment in
       public infrastructure, homes and buildings so they are more resilient
       to severe weather.
    -  Engage consumers as they have a vital role in addressing climate
       change.
    
    Executive Forum Statement signatories:
    
    Travis Engen, President & CEO, Alcan Inc.
    Bob Elton, President & CEO, BC Hydro
    Mr. Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
     Bombardier Inc.
    Russell Horner, President & CEO, Catalyst Paper Corporation
    John Murray, President, CH2M HILL
    Alban D'Amours, President & CEO, Desjardins Group
    Doug Muzyka, President & CEO, E.I. Dupont Canada Inc.
    Derek Pannell, President & CEO, Falconbridge Limited
    Annette Verschuren, President & CEO, The Home Depot Canada
    John R. Wells, President & CEO, Interface Americas
    Brian Foody, President & CEO, Iogen Corporation
    Jack Cogen, President & CEO, Natsource Asset Management
    André Desmarais, President & Co-CEO, Power Corporation
    Clive Mather, President & CEO, Shell Canada
    Frank Dottori, President & CEO, Tembec Inc.
    George Cooke, President & CEO, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance
     Company
    David Wilmot, Chair, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
    Gregg Hanson, President & CEO, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

                      Executive Forum on Climate Change
    Call to Action on Climate Protection, Energy and Sustainable Development
           United Nations Climate Change Conference: Montreal 2005
                                November 2005

Dear Prime Minister:

As corporate leaders representing a broad cross-section of the Canadian economy, we believe that all governments, corporations, consumers and citizens have responsibilities under the Kyoto Protocol and that the world must act urgently to stabilise the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and minimise the global impacts of climate change.

Our organisations accept that a strong response is required to the strengthening evidence in the scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). We accept the IPCC consensus that climate change raises the risk of severe consequences for human health and security and the environment. We note that Canada is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

We know significant steps are needed to stop the growth in greenhouse gas emissions and that the timing of those reductions affects the rate and ultimate level of climate change.

We believe strongly that the growing global demand for energy services and the need to ensure sustainable development require a continued focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing energy services and ensuring economic growth. We need a focus on energy supply and demand to resolve climate change. We need all countries to play their part.

A more effective global effort must rapidly increase deployment of low- carbon, zero emitting, renewable energy, and carbon dioxide capture and storage, conservation and energy efficiency technologies.

Where possible, we are adapting our business practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to minimise the adverse impact of climate change. Some of us are major users and producers of energy, and have launched emission reduction programs and participate in emissions trading markets. We believe that purchasing and producing renewable energy, investing in low carbon technologies, working to improve energy efficiency and offering new products and services aimed at reducing emissions are meaningful strategies for the business community to undertake. Many of us have improved company productivity and profitability as a result. Some of us help society manage the threat of climate extremes, and we are investing in research to identify more resilient building design and construction practices, adapting our internal practices based on emerging science about future risks, and educating our consumers about preparedness and loss prevention.

To help us do more, we need policy certainty for post-2012. We need a strategy now for the next 50 years, with short and medium-term targets to guide us. Governments must set clear markers along the way to unleash competitive market forces and allow the discovery of a long-term value for carbon emission reductions. Only then will we secure the deep reductions needed to prevent human interference with the climate system.

Principles

From a business perspective, we recommend that governments strive for a climate regime that is guided by these important principles:

    
    -  Good science and rational economics.
    -  Minimises uncertainty through an announcement well before 2012 of
       significant long-term quantified objectives to 2020, 2030, 2040 and
       2050.
    -  Ensures Canada's competitive position through a regime that is fair
       and flexible with broader, equitable and cost-effective participation
       of developed and developing countries and a more global harmonised
       approach in keeping with common but differentiated responsibilities.
    -  Focused on energy, including technology options. Greenhouse gas
       targets and commitments for post-2012 should include energy supply and
       demand related milestones, including targets for green power; green
       heat and advanced bio-fuels; carbon dioxide capture, transport and
       sequestration; and energy efficiency and conservation.
    -  Makes effective use of market-based mechanisms, economic instruments
       and full-cost pricing as part of an integrated regime of regulation,
       standards, fiscal incentives and policy measures.
    -  Stimulates innovation and significantly expands investment in
       research and development through public/private and international
       partnerships.
    -  Creates incentives to lower consumption and to change consumer
       behaviour.
    -  Considers climate change in the broader context of sustainable
       development.
    -  Emphasises city regions as emerging players in achieving long-term
       energy goals, particularly a new more distributed energy system.
    -  Facilitates adaptation to climate change and the adverse impact of
       climate extremes.
    -  Encourages sustainable forestry and agriculture, particularly
       reductions in deforestation in developing countries, and rural
       economic development through bio-refineries, advanced bio-fuels and
       bio-products.

Montreal conference

    
    We encourage governments to:
           -   Build on the foundation provided by the United Nations
               Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol
               to launch a process and work plan that would support
               development by 2008-2009 of an inclusive and climate friendly
               post-2012 regime.
           -   Send a clear political signal that the Kyoto Protocol's
               mechanisms (Emissions Trading, Joint Implementation and Clean
               Development Mechanism) will be made to function effectively in
               the near term and will continue to operate after 2012.
           -   Reform the operation of the Clean Development Mechanism,
               including:
                   - Governments providing stable funding for 2006 - 2008 to:
                           - Hire professional staff team to manage day-to-
                             day operations and technical panels and to
                             support oversight by the Executive Board.
                           - Retain consulting expertise to expedite
                             completion and approval of methodologies.
                           - Increase communication and capacity among
                             stakeholders and governments.
           -   Agree to an adaptation package, that supports the building of
               adaptive capacity through:
                   -   Investment in hazard information, risk assessment and
                       warning systems.
                   -   Identification of best practices for building new
                       homes, retrofitting existing buildings and public
                       infrastructure.
                   -   Financial support for local investments in resilient
                       public infrastructure.
                   -   Public education to establish a culture of disaster
                       preparedness.

We recommend that Canada, respecting federal and provincial authority:

    
                   -   Develop a long-term energy strategy that positions
                       Canada at the vanguard of new transformative energy
                       technology, particularly where we have a comparative
                       advantage. Prioritise domestic investments (over
                       international) to reduce greenhouse gases in the
                       Canadian economy. On an urgent basis, target strategic
                       investments and incentives in world-class carbon
                       dioxide capture, transport and storage and low-impact
                       renewable energy, including green power, green heat
                       and bio-refineries and advanced bio-fuels.
                   -   Set objectives to meet global best practice for energy
                       production and consumption through regulated
                       standards, procurement, financial and tax incentives
                       and market-based approaches like emissions trading and
                       trading of energy efficiency credits.
                   -   Align government and corporate procurement policies
                       with these objectives.
                   -   Make and recognise longer-term investments in domestic
                       and international emissions markets as a sign of
                       confidence in a post-2012 regime that embraces market-
                       based solutions.
                   -   Ensure the New Deal for Cities and Communities factors
                       loss prevention and adaptation to climate change into
                       long-term sustainability plans, infrastructure
                       planning and investments with a focus on building
                       resilient, sustainable communities.
                   -   Facilitate our domestic adaptation response through
                       investment in a risk assessment of 2 degrees Celsius
                       global average warming in Canada.
                   -   Develop a climate extremes strategy focused on
                       investment in public infrastructure, homes and
                       buildings so they are resilient to damage from severe
                       weather. The strategy should also include investment
                       in hazard safety research and public education. In
                       this respect, and on an urgent basis, strengthen
                       building efficiency and resilience through the
                       National Building Code.
                   -   More effectively engage consumers as they have a vital
                       role to play in addressing climate change. Business
                       and government need to collaborate directly with the
                       public to establish a shared understanding about
                       change in the climate, and actions required.

Conclusion

Business and government must continue to work together to address climate change. We can jointly identify and implement policy measures that create meaningful and effective solutions, while at the same time ensuring long-term value. We look forward to working with you and to receiving your feedback on this advice.

Properly designed programs and incentives will unleash the power of the market to accelerate deployment of low carbon technologies and adaptation to climate extremes, engaging both producers and consumers. We are firmly committed to do our part on climate change. A coordinated response from the Government of Canada and the other participants in the Montreal Conference will allow us to do even more.

Sincerely yours,

    
    Travis Engen, President & CEO, Alcan Inc.
    Bob Elton, President & CEO, BC Hydro
    Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
     Bombardier Inc.
    Russell Horner, President & CEO, Catalyst Paper Corporation
    John Murray, President, CH2M HILL
    Alban D'Amours, President & CEO, Desjardins Group
    Doug Muzyka, President & CEO, E.I. Dupont Canada Inc.
    Derek Pannell, President & CEO, Falconbridge Limited
    Annette Verschuren, President & CEO, The Home Depot Canada
    John R. Wells, President & CEO, Interface Americas
    Brian Foody, President & CEO, Iogen Corporation
    Jack Cogen, President & CEO, Natsource Asset Management
    André Desmarais, President & Co-CEO, Power Corporation
    Clive Mather, President & CEO, Shell Canada
    Frank Dottori, President & CEO, Tembec Inc.
    George Cooke, President & CEO, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance
     Company
    David Wilmot, Chair, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
    Gregg Hanson, President & CEO, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

To request a free copy of this organisation's annual report, please go to http://www.newswire.ca and click on reports@cnw.
 
  

Source:   PR Newswire on behalf of Alcan Inc.

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