EU proposals to respond to climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by one-fifth – 20 percent – by the year 2020 have provoked intense discussion throughout the 27 Member States and especially in all those business sectors likely to be most affected. Indeed, climate change and energy costs affect all enterprises in the EU. We are all consumers of energy, to a greater or lesser extent, and the rising costs of energy impose constraints on everyone although for some, most strikingly the big oil companies, the rising fuel prices have yielded even higher profits.
For most however, whether consumers or producers, rising energy costs represent big problems, not least for governments and central banks trying to manage inflation in an unpredictable investment climate. The implications of climate change, energy and sustainable business development will be considered at the next College of Europe Executive Seminar, organised by the Development Office on June 5-6. The Executive Seminar will take place in Brussels*, and will bring together senior EU policy makers with representatives of major companies and not-forprofit associations.
In an intimate setting, with not more than 25 participants, the Executive Seminar will assist companies and other organisations to shape strategies for responding to the challenges of climate change and energy costs and security and to learn more about the evolving EU policy responses, making the most of the unique experience of the College in European affairs. The opening session on the late afternoon of June 5 will focus on the implications of climate change for sustainable business development. The opening keynote speaker, Dr Tim Bertels from Shell International Exploration and Production, will highlight the main issues regarding the development of renewable and nonconventional energy sources and the challenges of carbon capture and storage.
Other speakers in the opening panel will include Piotr Tullej, who is head of the unit on Energy and Environment in the European Commission, DG Environment, and a speaker from a major renewable energy association. The discussion will focus on the economic costs of climate change and the implications for European business. These discussions will continue through cocktails and dinner, when we hope that MEP Claude Turmes will join us to give his perspective as Vice President of the Greens/European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament. We will conclude the evening with more informal debate on climate change and its implications for the business environment.
High level speakers from such major companies as ArcelorMittal, Philips, Toyota and Solvay will share their views on sustainable business strategies to respond to climate change on the second day of the Seminar. The first panel on June 6 will focus on climate change and energy, including emissions trading, with Koen Coppenholle, the Head of European Government Relations of ArcelorMittal giving the views from a major energy consuming company. Michele Beltracchi, the European Policy Coordinator of the International Emissions Trading Association and a senior speaker from the renewable energy sector will comment on the investment implications, both from the environmental and economic perspectives and assess the public policy debate.
“Energy Efficiency as a Business Opportunity” will provide an exciting theme for some of the most innovative corporations to explain how they have embraced “going green” and the results in terms of profits. The three speakers in this panel will be Harry Verhaar, Director for Energy & Climate Change of Philips Lighting Division; Willy Tomboy, Director for Environmental Affairs of Toyota Motor Europe; and Olivier Monfort, the Director of Solvay for France, who has pioneered energy efficiency projects in the chemicals company. Together with the participants, they will discuss the opportunities for sustainable business development prompted by concern for climate change.
Following a networking lunch and an informal speech by a senior European Commission speaker, the focus of the debate will shift to EU public policy for responding to climate change and promoting energy security. Information technology plays a major role in reducing emissions, conserving energy and stimulating innovative solutions, and Dr Andreas Vogel, the Vice President of SAP Research will explain some of the new approaches to climate change. A senior speaker from RE Power and Jos Delbeke from the European Commission, DG Environment, will draw the debate to a close. Lively interactive discussion throughout the Executive Seminar will be facilitated by me, affording close contact with the distinguished speakers, and a special opportunity to reflect on the challenges of climate change, energy, and sustainable business strategies.