May 20, 2010

USCIB Members Meet with European Climate Commissioner

On May 12 in New York, USCIB held a business dialogue with EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard at the European Union Delegation office to the United Nations. The off-the-record session provided an opportunity to hold a dynamic discussion of global climate change matters in an informal setting.

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson introduced Commissioner Hedegaard and reviewed USCIB’s role, as American affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce, in discussions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This has included a strong American business presence at last December’s UN climate summit in Copenhagen, over which Commissioner Hedegaard presided as Danish environment minister.

EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard

Also leading the discussion were Ann Condon (General Electric), chair of USCIB’s Environment and Energy Committee, and Brian Fix (Salans LLP), who chairs USCIB’s European Union Committee.

The commissioner and participants spoke about a variety of key issues, including this fall’s climate talks in Cancún and the UN agenda for 2011, China’s actions on energy efficiency, and better ways for the business community to engage in global climate discussions. USCIB members may contact Justine Bareford (jbareford@uscib.org) for a confidential summary of the meeting.

Staff contact: Justine Bareford

Commissioner Hedegaard’s website

More on USCIB’s Environment Committee

More on USCIB’s European Union Committee