Bali and the UN meetings start next Monday, December 3, and run through midmonth. These talks are to formally kick off the negotiations for a post-Kyoto regime on addressing the climate change crisis. It seems like lots of folks are headed out there. I'm now getting about 20 emails a day inviting me to "side events" put on by companies, institutes, environmental organizations, and the like. I'd love to be there, but I'll be in NYC enjoying the pretty autumn we're having. (I have to admit, I'd be way yearning to surf and scuba if I were out there.)
Business call for climate change framework reads the headline from the "Telegraph" in the U.K. Britain's Prince Charles has corralled 150 of the world's largest corporations into endorsing the "Bali Communiqué." The message to the leaders meeting in Bali is to, among other things, come up with "a comprehensive, legally binding United Nations framework to tackle climate change." This is a good strong effort by Prince Charles who has been a leader for years on the environment and historic preservation. The Prince has an op-ed in today's "FT" , Bali offers a vital chance to take tough decisions. His Royal Highness , that's the proper form of address, folks , makes a number of interesting points, among them: "Of crucial importance is the role of big capital providers, such as pension funds and insurance companies, and their ability to direct their investments towards delivering a low carbon economy."
I've written about efforts from just these critical entities under "Insurance Industry" here. See also the webpage on climate change for Lloyd's of London and the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a "$4 trillion network of investors that promotes better understanding of the financial risks and opportunities posed by climate change."
Finally, don't forget the classic Hope-Crosby-Lamour "road" picture: The Road to Bali. For hilarious clips, you can go here, at Public Domain Comedy.
