EnviroBuild urges world leaders to deliver coherent climate strategy in countdown to G20 and COP26 summits
At EnviroBuild we are standing with over 600 businesses worldwide and over 80 UK-based companies in a collective call to strengthen international and national climate targets ahead of the pivotal G20 and COP26 talks.
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EnviroBuild's view on G20 Climate Strategy
The G20 Summit, where leaders of the world’s largest economies meet to coordinate global policy on the economy, at the end of this month comes at a pivotal moment. Following the IPCC’s alert of a “code red for humanity” and ahead of COP26, G20 Leaders have an opportunity to send a strong signal that they are committed to addressing climate change. The G7 this year adopted clear language about the importance of working together to keep the 1.5°C objective, set in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, within reach. Expectations are now on the G20 as a whole to signal their commitment ahead of COP26.
Over 600 businesses that operate across all G20 countries, including EnviroBuild, have appealed to the G20 leaders for clear policies on ending support for coal, fossil fuel subsidies and building a global financial framework that will trigger the rapid transition to a low-carbon economy.
In an open letter, organised by the We Mean Business Coalition, companies spanning sectors from energy to transport and fashion to construction, represent the biggest and most ambitious global call for climate leadership from businesses to date.
James Brueton, CEO of EnviroBuild, said:
“The IPCC's 6th Assessment Report warns we have entered a 'code red for humanity', we know we need to act urgently to stop more climate destruction and make the right decisions for future generations. We are urging the prime minister to foster an ambitious strategy from government with a clear timetable, detailed policy measures, market mechanisms and messaging on a sector-by-sector basis. The government must be the leading force in bringing the UK to net zero.”
Urging the Prime Minister to Help Deliver Global Progress on Climate Change
With the UK also hosting the COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, just after the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is urged to seize the opportunities to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the climate-nature crisis in the context of the IPCC’s warning.
In another letter signed by EnviroBuild and 80 other UK businesses, we set out our support for climate action and highlight the need for the UK government to lay out a coherent, integrated and Treasury-supported Net Zero Strategy.
The letter states: “A successful summit that achieves the UK Presidency’s goals requires strong UK leadership combining effective diplomacy with credible outcomes, including international solidarity with countries lacking the resources to tackle these challenges alone".
“As businesses invested in the future of the UK, we know these steps can deliver long-term benefits for people, nature and climate.”
Coordinated by the UK Business Group Alliance for Net Zero (BGA), the letter also warns that the UK Government’s failure to act decisively on climate change will carry much greater risks and costs.
At EnviroBuild, we’re working hard to reduce our carbon footprint across the company, from the products’ lifecycles to our workforce, because all small changes do help. We can’t deny, however, that governments largely influence the economy and how businesses operate. By signing these letters, we aim to make change happen on a larger scale so we can bring the UK to net zero and work together to keep the 1.5°C objective.
