CBI should reject Business Europe and its dangerous climate change policy

Oxfam is calling on the CBI to publicly disassociate itself from Business Europe after the coalition of national business associations from across the continent called on the EU to refrain from increasing its emissions cuts target from 20 per cent.

The international aid agency said the CBI should stand aside from the business
coalition's position as the European Council meet today to discuss climate policy ahead of the final, vital stages of the UN climate negotiations at Copenhagen.

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is among some European leaders, including Nicholas Sarkozy, pushing for the EU to increase its target to 30 per cent by 2020. This would be a step closer to the 40 per cent target that Oxfam wants agreed at the UN talks.

Oxfam’s head of policy and advocacy Kirsty Hughes said: “Business Europe is focusing purely on short-term business self interest at the expense of millions of poor people who are already suffering the effects of climate change.

“Its policy is both dangerous and narrow. Not only does it put a fair and safe climate deal at risk, but it also ignores the fact that it makes good business sense to embrace greener business practices. The CBI should publicly disassociate itself today from Business Europe's damaging stance, and show it too supports serious action to stop runaway climate change by calling on EU leaders to move to at least a 30 per cent cut in emissions now.”

The call comes as global business leaders and policy makers meet at the Copenhagen Business Day tomorrow. Oxfam is calling for progressive businesses there to champion a fair and safe deal and encourage wavering governments to show leadership or risk their competitors derailing the climate talks.

Oxfam executive director Jeremy Hobbs, who will be at the meeting, said: “Corporations can open space for negotiators in Copenhagen – or they can close it down.

“A critical mass of major companies has recognised that averting climate catastrophe and moving towards a low-carbon global economy is a business imperative. We are at a critical juncture, and now is the time for business to call loudly with one voice for a fair, ambitious, and binding global deal.”

The private sector can play a central role in the fight against climate change but some have lobbied against policies, which threaten business as usual, such Business Europe’s attempt to water down the EU’s ambition on emission reductions.

However, an increasing number of well-known companies are working together for ambitious climate policy action at the national and global levels. This includes 16 major US-based consumer brands that make up Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) such as Nike, Timberland, Levi Strauss, Starbucks, and eBay.

At a global level, the Corporate Leaders’ Group on Climate Change, created by the Prince of Wales, has organized the Copenhagen Communiqué. This detailed policy statement - signed by the BICEP companies, GE, Siemens, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, and over 800 other major companies around the world - calls for ‘an ambitious, robust, and equitable global deal on climate change'.

Dissension in the ranks of the business community over climate policy action was on display in the United States recently, with major companies withdrawing from the US Chamber of Commerce or its board over its opposition to government action on global warming. This conflict is likely to spill over into the international negotiations in Copenhagen.

An increasing number of companies have taken significant steps to cut their own emissions. While many recognise the importance of securing their own markets and supply chains by helping communities adapt to a changing climate. Business is also helping to create and disseminate technologies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions around the world.

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For more information contact Lucy Brinicombe in Oxford +44 1865 472192 / +447786 110054 / lbrinicombe@oxfam.org.uk or Laura Rusu in Copenhagen +1 202 459 3739 / +447540702656

For a complete outline of Oxfam COP15 resources and activities go to www.oxfam.org/en/oxfam-in-copenhagen

Kirsty Hughes is available for interview in the UK and can talk about what the CBI should do.

Jeremy Hobbs will join global business leaders and policy makers at the Copenhagen Business Day debates and is available for interview.

Lucy Brinicombe
Press Officer - Climate Change
Oxfam Media Unit
+44 (0)1865 472192
+44 (0)7786 110054
www.oxfam.org.uk

Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering