Businesses, financial leaders and governments, on both sides of the Atlantic, and globally are already experiencing the impacts of the world's changing climate on their present and future operations. In addition to the risks arising from climate change, they are beginning to recognise the emerging "opportunity agenda" that has the potential to open up entirely new business lines, new "green" products, new types of services in emerging carbon markets, and major capital inflows to replace ageing infrastructure with new, low-carbon technologies.

The opportunities arising from the transition to a low-carbon economy are seen by many businesses as a cornerstone of the economic recovery from today's recessionary economic conditions.

On 1 October 2009, the British High Commission and The Conference Board of Canada organised a seminar to help foster a deeper dialogue on the financial risks and opportunities arising from climate change.

Amongst the highlights were the opening address by H.E. Anthony Cary, CMG British High Commissioner to Canada, and the key-note speech by the Rt. Hon. Alderman Ian Luder, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, on the opportunities and challenges of the transition to a low-carbon economy. Subsequent panel discussions involved leading executives from the financial and business sectors providing their insights, and fielding informed questions and comments from the audience. The event was chaired by Anne Golden, President and CEO of The Conference Board of Canada.

Panel Participants included:

• Steven Schleimer, Director, Energy and Environmental, Barclays Capital, New York
• Sandra Odendahl, Director, Corporate Environmental Affairs, Royal Bank of Canada
• Jeff Passmore, Executive Vice-President, IOGEN Corporation
• Chris Perrault, Senior Director, Climate Change Strategy, Direct Energy

Notes for Editors

Event background information

Please note: an Event Executive Action Briefing will be published in the coming weeks.

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