Climate Change was the Hot Topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Climate change was the dominant theme at and this year's World Economic Forum (WEF). Panel discussions covered a wide range of related topics and including global warming, ocean sustainability and biodiversity. Al Gore, David Attenborough and Jane Goodall were among the participants.

This year's Global Risk Assessment report released at the WEF in Davos revealed, yet again, that climate change and related phenomenon are among the greatest risks both in terms of impact and likelihood. The report surveys nearly 1,000 decision-makers (public sector, private sector, academia and civil society) who are asked to assess the risks facing the world.  Over a ten-year horizon, extreme weather and climate-change policy failures are seen as the gravest threats.

This Year's WEF Gives us Reason to Hope

Climate and energy conversations that took place at this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos gave us reason to hope. Many of those who constitute the core of the world's economic power acknowledged the urgency of climate action and the opportunities associated with forging a new green economy.

We are beginning to see the kind of leadership from CEO's and investors that is an essential if we are to succeed in tackling climate change. Companies and investors are coming together to advance meaningful solutions. Business leaders are now looking at climate change as both a risk and an opportunity. Investors are showing unprecedented interest in investments that support low carbon technologies.

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Collaboration and Cooperation are Imperitive (WEF Summaries)

Collaboration and cooperation are commonly mentioned as important aspects of sustainability and they emerged as salient themes at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Over the course of the last year we have seen historic collaboration on carbon emissions reduction between the US and China. We have also seen tremendous progress in some private sector areas.

While many are talking about global disunity, others are pointing to significant examples of global collaboration. John Kerry, US Secretary of State, said "I don’t see an unraveling [of international cooperation]. I see just the opposite. I see nations coming together … to reach an ambitious global agreement to address climate change, with the recent agreement by China and the United States that begins to set the targets to make the Paris negotiations this year a success."

Towards a Global Climate Agreement at COP21 (WEF)

Much of the climate momentum that occurred at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is in anticipation of COP21 where it is hoped that a global agreement can be signed.

François Hollande, the President of France and host to next year's COP21 climate talks in Paris, made a number of prescient comments in Davos.

"I call upon the whole of business to make an economic contribution to the most fragile of states, in the name of solidarity and security. I call on you also to counter another threat which is one that looms over the very future of this world: we need to fight global warming,"  Hollande said.

Curbing Fossil Fuels - Carbon Pricing and an End to Subsidies (WEF Summaries)

Carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidies were popular topics at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. The comments made by economists, business leaders and climate experts signal a global readiness to price carbon and remove oil subsidies.

Investors and business leaders need and want regulatory certainty. Regulations on fossil fuels are coming the only question is when. Climate economist Lord Nicholas Stern was among those who argued that we need to see carbon taxes and eliminate oil subsidies.

If we are to get serious about tackling climate change we will need to curb fossil fuel use. One of the best ways to do so is through carbon pricing schemes. Rowan Douglas, CEO Capital, Science & Policy Practice and Chairman, Willis Research Network, said, "Carbon pricing is a very important tool in the armory. I think it is difficult to see the world achieving its targets without some sort of pricing mechanism for this critical pollutant."

The Value of Investing in Climate Mitigation (WEF Summaries)

One of the salient themes that emerged at the 2015 edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is that investors are very interested in climate action. There have been a number of important developments during the course of the WEF but few are more important than the emerging trend of integrating climate risks into financial assessments. The risks and the opportunities  posed by climate change are bottom line issues.

Low carbon energy investments are providing considerable returns. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, clean energy investment increased by 16 percent in 2014. The We Mean Business Coalition reports that companies are achieving 20+ percent internal rates of return on their own clean energy projects.

Global Economies Feeling the Heat from Climate Change (WEF Summaries)

Economic assessments of climate risks and the potential returns from mitigation and adaptation emerged as salient themes at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

A number of speakers made the point that it is important to calculate the massive risks associated with climate change. We are already seeing that climate change is systemically disrupting the global economy and the situation is destined to get far worse if we do not significantly reduce global carbon emissions.

As explained by several economists, we do not have to make the false choice between combating climate change and growth. We can both grow our economy and act on climate change.

Business Leadership on Climate Change (WEF Summaries)

The 2015 edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) put unprecedented emphasis on the role of business to manage climate change. Both to mitigate costly risks and reap lucrative benefits, the business community is beginning to take climate concerns very seriously.

One of the key stories that emerged out of the WED last week is that an unprecedented number of business leaders are showing bold leadership on climate action. Business leaders are speaking more clearly and more cohesively than ever about the need to address climate change.

As Al Gore explained in a Davos presentation, "We have the solutions at hand. And this is why I’m so excited about all of the work being done, led by the business community," he said. "The private sector is leading the way," he added.

WEF Summaries: Climate Change

Climate change was a central part of this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) which took place in Davos Switzerland from January 21 to 24. Unlike previous meetings there was an unprecedented sense of urgency in this year's discussions about climate change.

A WEF plenary titled "Tackling Climate, Development and Growth" included Paul Polman, A. Michael Spence, Jakaya M. Kikwete, Christine Lagarde, Ban Ki-moon and Jim Yong Kim. This distinguished panel shared the view that to combat climate change we must engage sustainable development. They also said that to succeed in efforts to reduce climate impacts we must see significant investments from both the public and private sector.

Video - WEF 2015: A Climate for Action

Related
WEF Summaries: Climate Change
Towards a Global Climate Agreement at COP21 (WEF Summaries)
Business Leadership on Climate Change (WEF Summaries)
Curbing Fossil Fuels - Carbon Pricing and an End to Subsidies (WEF Summaries)
The Value of Investing in Climate Mitigation (WEF Summaries)
Global Economies Feeling the Heat from Climate Change (WEF Summaries)
Collaboration and Cooperation are Imperitive (WEF Summaries)
What is The World Economic Forum (WEF)
Risks Associated with Environment, Climate, Water Crisis and Extreme Weather in the WEF Report

Video - WEF Pre-Annual Meeting Press Conference

The Pre Annual Meeting Press Conference outlines the official programme and participants at this year’s Annual Meeting in Davos.

What is The World Economic Forum (WEF)

The 2015 edition of the World Economic Forum convenes on Wednesday January 21, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international institution committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation. The WEF’s Annual Meeting convenes global leaders from across business, government, international organizations, academia and civil society to map the changes taking place in our world.

The Forum has evolved from an opportunity for European corporate stakeholders to discuss business strategies into an organization that today is widely regarded as the world’s foremost multistakeholder platform for public-private partnership.

Environmental Justice on the 50th Anniversary of the Passage of the Civil Rights Act

Today is the anniversary of the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act which was signed into law 50 years ago. The half century celebration pays homage not only to race, but also to progress on gay rights and the equality of women. To that list of civil rights we should be adding environmental issues.

As reviewed in an August 2013 article in the Guardian, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, the chief executive officer of Green For All made the point the Hurricane Katrina highlighted issues of injustice and inequality.

As she explained, "Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s about keeping our communities safe. It’s a matter of justice. Because when it comes to disasters — from extreme temperatures to storms like Katrina — people of color are consistently hit first and worst."

Figueres on the Need for a Binding Global Climate Treaty by 2015

Christiana Figueres, the Executive Secretary of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a stalwart champion of efforts to reign-in climate change causing greenhouse gases (GHGs). She has repeatedly made bold statements about the need to act now. “We’re running out of time…we have to get to zero net emissions by the second half of this century, and in order to put us on a path to do that we have to reverse the trajectory of GHG emissions that we have now,” Figueres said.

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