Call for Global Climate Change Deal: Leading Cdn Companies

Media Release by Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR):

Toronto, ON – Leading Canadian companies are calling for world leaders to complete an ambitious, robust and equitable deal on climate change at the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen this December.

The Copenhagen Communiqué, a global campaign by prominent business leaders, urges world governments to adopt the same level of coordinated response on climate change that was exhibited earlier this year at G20 negotiations on the economic downturn. The Communiqué is sponsored by The Prince of Wales’ Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change and the University of Cambridge. Canadian partners and signatories Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR), WWF-Canada, LoyaltyOne (Air Miles Reward Program), and Mountain Equipment Co-op are calling on Canadian companies to lend their voice to the call.

The urgent call for action is gaining momentum in Canada with new signatories being added every day. Current signatories include Indigo Books & Music Inc., Research In Motion, Royal Bank of Canada, Bombardier Inc., Domtar Corporation, The Co-operators Group Ltd., Alterna Savings, and Fairmont Hotel and Resorts Inc. The goal of the global campaign is to secure 500 high profile corporate signatories from all G20 countries.

“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our generation,” said Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research In Motion (RIM). “As with any complex problem, we need to tackle it with determination, innovation and cooperation at a grand scale – and quickly. The longer we wait, the harder it will become.”

The Copenhagen Communiqué will be presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a negotiation session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22. This meeting of over 100 world leaders is in preparation for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, 2009.

Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) is a network of over 100 Canadian companies focused on environmental, social and economic solutions that lead to better business and a better world. Founded in 1995, CBSR is a globally recognized source for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Canada.

WWF-Canada is part of WWF, the global conservation organization. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Canada’s top priorities are fighting climate change, the single biggest environmental threat to our planet; and conserving our oceans and freshwater resources. For more information, visit wwf.ca.

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To learn more about the Copenhagen Communiqué, contact:

Josh Laughren

Director, Communications

WWF-Canada

Office: 416 484 7708

Cell: 647 400 9578

jlaughren [at] wwfcanada.org

wwf.ca

Robyn Hall

Communications Manager

Canadian Business for Social Responsibility

Office: 416-703-7435 x232

Cell: 416 559 3951

robyn [at] cbsr.ca

www.cbsr.ca

Links to other info:

Copenhagen Communiqué website:

http://www.cpi.cam.ac.uk/our_work/climate_leaders_groups/clgcc/international_work/the_copenhagen_communiqu%E9.aspx

Text of the Copenhagen Communiqué

http://www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk/pdf/Copenhagen%20Communique%20-%20English.pdf

Current signatories list

http://www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk/pdf/Current%20Copenhagen%20Communiqu%C3%A9%20Signatories.pdf

Official United Nations Climate Change Conference site – COP15

http://en.cop15.dk/