Private sector’s role in climate change to be presented

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced that it joined forces with  the World Maritime University (WMU) and the Government of Sweden to host discussions on the role of the private sector at the problem of climate change. The event will take place at UN Headquarters in New York, on 9 June, as an official side event of the UN Ocean Conference being held this week.

As climate change effects on the ocean have a major impact on economies, food and water security, settlement patterns and human safety and security, the parties will bring together representatives of the private sector, ocean leadership nations, and the education and capacity-building sectors to address the ways in which the private sector is fighting climate change affecting the ocean.

“The impact of climate change on our oceans cannot be underestimated. As a driving force in providing the investments and innovative solutions to address climate change and mitigate risks, business will continue to be a vital partner in collective efforts to seek pragmatic approaches to sustaining oceans and the resources they provide,” said ICC Secretary General John Danilovich.

Working collaboratively with the international community, national governments, research bodies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, the private sector has taken up the gauntlet to meet challenges to reduce the human-induced climate change pressures on the ocean, improve energy efficiency and introduce market-based tools to shift our investment, subsidy and production.

Moderated by ICC’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations Louise Kantrow and Chief Operating Officer of World Maritime University Nikolaus Schultze, the event will provide an opportunity to hear Swedish experience of the challenge and feature discussions on the impact of climate change on the maritime transport sector and on commercial fisheries. It will also proffer proposals on the ways in which climate change affecting the ocean can be mitigated by the private sector, ICC informed.