In light of the importance of the ILO's Conclusions concerning the promotion of Sustainable Enterprises at the International Labour Conference in June 2007, it may be useful for employers' organizations to use the Sustainable Enterprises concept as a framework to examine Climate Change issues within their own local policy environment.
Some of the following questions may help employers' organizations assess the importance of climate change to the achievement of their overall strategies and priorities.
| 1. |
What are the opportunities and threats to sustainable enterprises represented by climate
change in your country? |
| 2. |
What local regulatory implications may emerge from the Copenhagen process that may have a direct effect
on your organization and members?
- How will this affect enterprise costs and sustainability?
- What business opportunities will/could be presented?
|
| 3. |
How will government spending on 'Green jobs' in current fiscal stimulus packages impact the business sector? |
| 4. |
How will green technologies impact the sustainability of enterprises?
- Will it make them more efficient (e.g. energy-saving and new energy technologies)?
- Will it make them more expensive (i.e. require use of more costly alternative materials or energy sources)?
- What international, regional and national mechanisms are available to assist in the transfer and
deployment of new technologies related to climate change and sustainable enterprises?
- What are the human resource implications of climate change policies and the use of new green technologies?
- Who is assessing the skill requirements of climate mitigation and climate adaptation
activities within your country?
- If training needs are identified, are there adequate mechanisms available to meet those training needs?
- What can employers' organizations do to facilitate this process?
|
| 5. |
What are the trade implications of climate change policies and programmes? |
| 6. |
Has your employers' organization participated in the design, development and implementation of national
strategies or plans related to climate change adaptation or mitigation, e.g. National Adaptation Programmes
of Action (NAPA), National Communications to the UNFCCC, green job initiatives, national, sectoral or local
energy efficiency initiatives, etc.? |
| 7. |
Have your members already been confronted with consequences from increased vulnerability to extreme
weather-related events (e.g. flooding, droughts, severe storms)?
- Has your employers' organization or members participated in local climate risk assessment
and prevention activities?
- Are the special needs and risks of enterprises included within local risk reduction
and prevention strategies and programmes?
- Are there programmes available to assist enterprises to "climate proof" their facilities
and the essential infrastructure they rely upon, e.g. transport, energy and water services?
|
| 8. |
What funding mechanisms are or may soon be available to your organization and members to assist your
efforts to meet the challenges and opportunities for enterprises linked to climate change? |
| 9. |
What opportunities are presented through the convergence of innovation and environmental policy and what
could this mean for your members' efforts to be "sustainable enterprises"? |
