Meeting the carbon challenge: reality or rhetoric?

Edited by the Insidemoneytalk editorial team Sep 26, 2007

Are carbon management initiatives really proving effective in reducing UK emissions?

Should taxation initiatives such as road user charging and higher aviation taxes come into play? Are the government's proposed measures short-term and do they address the challenge of changing behaviour at a fundamental level? Are companies using low impact initiatives as PR vehicles? What is the role of business, not only in reducing its own emissions, but in helping to shape future policy? These and other issues relating to carbon management will be debated at a Standard Life Investments sponsored fringe event at this year's Labour Party Annual Conference.

Roger East, Editor of Green Futures will chair the debate - 'Meeting the Carbon Challenge: Reality or Rhetoric?' Speakers at the event will include: Julie McDowell, Head of Socially Responsible Investment, Standard Life Investments Sir John Harman, Chairman, Environment AgencyTony Ginty, Head of Public Affairs, Marks and Spencer David Cairns, MP, Minister of State for Scotland Speaking ahead of the debate, Julie McDowell, Head of Socially Responsible Investment, Standard Life Investments, said: ""The issue of climate change continues to dominate the public agenda, requiring companies to demonstrate the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Increasingly, companies are purchasing carbon offsets to show that they have a credible approach to climate change, however the volume of current carbon emissions dwarfs the available carbon off-sets.

It is important to recognise that there are significant differences between regulated and voluntary.

Standard Life Investments Limited, tel.

0131 225 2345, is a company registered in Scotland (no.

SC 123321) Registered Office 1 George Street Edinburgh EH2 2LL.

The Standard Life Investments Group includes Standard Life Investments (Mutual Funds) Limited, SLTM Limited, Standard Life Investments (Corporate Funds) Limited and Standard Life Investments (Private Equity) Limited.

Standard Life Investments Limited acts as Investment Manager for The Standard Life Assurance Company and Standard Life Pension Funds Limited.

Standard Life Investments may record and monitor telephone calls to help improve customer service.

All companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

2007 Standard Life Investments Standard Life Investments Limited, tel.

0131 225 2345, is a company registered in Scotland (no.

SC 123321) Registered Office 1 George Street Edinburgh EH2 2LL.

Standard Life Investments Limited acts as Investment Manager for The Standard Life Assurance Company and Standard Life Pension Funds Limited.

Standard Life Investments may record and monitor telephone calls to help improve customer service.

All companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

2007 Standard Life Investments offsetting schemes.

Before using carbon offsetting as a business strategy companies should consider which offset schemes have greater credibility and verifiability.

"We would encourage companies to make considered yet bold steps towards becoming environmental leaders, focusing first on energy efficiencies and improved disclosures, and to consider the advantages and disadvantages inherent in any carbon offset schemes they may choose." If you would like further information on Standard Life Investments' Corporate Governance and SRI policies, either in advance of or after the event, please contact: Hilda Stewart, Press Officer, Standard Life Investments, +44 (0)131 245 3610.

Alternatively, if you are accredited with a Labour Conference pass and will be attending the event, please liaise with Alan Murray (mobile +44 (0)7740 924 567) at the event and he will help facilitate an introduction to Julie McDowell, Head of SRI Research at Standard Life Investments.