The Embassy, in partnership with Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Latvian Employers’ Confederation (LEC), organised an international conference, “Climate Change: Everybody's Business”, in Riga on 16 October. The event, despite the tough economic climate, was a remarkable success, attracting over 100 representatives of business, government, NGOs and academia from Latvia as well as business confederations around the region.

The idea behind it was to raise awareness in business and industry not only of the importance of acting against climate change, but how it could present opportunities to the businesses that acted fastest.

The CBI, Scottish Power and Nissan represented UK business, and the Carbon Trust spoke about the facilitating role it plays in helping business develop low carbon opportunities. Representatives of Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Climate Change Group also took part.

British models

Environment Minister Raimonds Vējonis opened the conference and set the tone by stressing the need for business and society to play their parts in tackling climate change, and that a low carbon economy could be a competitive economy.

UK business presented the steps it had made towards adaptation to climate change, recognising that climate change is a reality and that targets are there to stay. The CBI had established a Climate Change Task Force, comprising business leaders, to identify the role business could play in preventing climate change and make recommendations for business action. The “Carbon Trust”, set up with government funding, was also helping companies with implementing change. Latvian business expressed interest in the forum and in the “Carbon Trust” model, as well as its work on innovation.

Climate change reality

Matthew Farrow of the CBI explained the impetus for business action in the UK had required political leadership, media engagement and realisation by business, triggered by the Stern report in particular, of the reality of climate change and its cost. Business was now seeking to position itself to take advantage of the opportunities. The current financial crisis meant there was a shortage of funds for investment. But the reality was indisputable. Adam Cartwright, Policy Adviser at DBERR, noted that failure to act would mean billions in investment later on to offset the effects of climate change. 

The Latvian Employers' Confederation (LEC) called for a business - government partnership in facing climate change. Business needed to receive reasonable support and incentives to help them adjust and achieve emission reductions.

Best practice

The audience heard some excellent case studies from companies like Nissan and Scottish Power, which had embraced power generation through renewables. Both have developed wind farms. Claire Doherty of Scottish Power said developing renewables made “economic sense”. Richard Moon said government also saw the business case, and briefed on the FCO’s work towards carbon neutrality, highlighting Nordic-Baltic and wider FCO work to limit the carbon footprint from its diplomatic missions.

Latvian companies also presented to their peers. Latvenergo described its refurbishment of a Thermoelectric Plant (TEC1) with Swedish investment. The plant, which supplies 70% of Riga's heat, has reduced its carbon footprint in the process. Riga District Heating Association briefed on its biomass powered plant, while Aldaris, the brewer, is powering its operation from renewable sources.

Growth despite the quotas

The event and the afternoon panel discussion stimulated a lively debate. Business in particular was concerned about the impact of quotas on growth. Matthew Farrow stressed that in the UK there was no glass ceiling for growth — growth could be ensured by innovative transfer to low carbon technologies and efficient use of energy.

Please continue to follow this item on the website – presentations and photos from the event will be published shortly.

Opening speech - Raimonds Vējonis, Environment Minister

Presentation - Matthew Farrow, CBI
Presentation - James Wilde, Carbon Trust
Presentation - Valdis Bisters, Environment Ministry, Republic of Latvia
Presentation - Ian Kelly, Nissan Motors UK
Presentation - Claire Doherty, Scottish Power
Presentation - Anita Kvesko, Latvenergo
Presentation - Edgars Vīgants, Latvian District Heating Association

Sample analysis - Ambassador Richard Moon

Conference programme
List of participants

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