Bringing together corporate climate change leaders and a variety of thought-provoking speakers and topics, Green Mondays is proving a useful discussion ground within the corporate sustainability world.  Using a combination of talks, round tables and one-to-one meetings, the organisers bring together over 200 people every month to combine perspectives and share knowledge in an environmental framework.

Earlier this month, Green Mondays held a Pre-Election Special, asking each political party what role they see business playing in the move towards a low carbon future.  The conference session offered some insights into how parties are approaching the agenda.  Following this were a range of round table discussions from the sustainable built environment and green communications, to CSR reporting best practices and stakeholder engagement.

One roundtable, hosted by ClimateCare, looked at the role of government in successful corporate carbon management strategies.  Those present offered valuable insights into the discussion, agreeing that the government has to take a lead and has a broader role than simply legislating.

Two aspects of climate change make it a unique challenge for any national government to face.  The first is that its worst impacts are unlikely to be fully felt by the current adult generation (within the UK/EU) and the second is that it is a truly global issue.  Government leadership cannot be undertaken in isolation of global politics and climate change movements, and the political negotiating stage remains full of uncertainty.

Everyone at the carbon management strategies table agreed that putting a price on emissions is essential, but also that any price much be sufficiently high to encourage serious emission reductions.  This is one key role for government, setting an effective price through a framework of legislation.  Current carbon pricing is not high enough to drive change.

Many were also of the opinion that carbon pricing in isolation would also be insufficient to deliver the necessary cuts.  It would take an integrated approach, understanding the drivers for change and engaging with the public and business.  Ultimately, cost-saving is not the only driver of behavioural change within business and there are many areas where government has a significant role to play in the business community.

Learn more about Green Mondays or sign up to the event at www.greenmondays.com