Thai opinion: Business TAKES UP global fight against pollution, climate change

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STREETWISE
Business TAKES UP global fight against pollution, climate change

BANGKOK: -- A friend of mine is moving from Bangkok to Shanghai next month. To her surprise, the company is extending her pollution compensation of 3,000 euros (Bt110,000) to cover her two-year contract.

She will be paid roughly 4.1 euros a day for breathing the polluted Shanghai air. That might not sound much, but if her firm wants to attract 50 expat employees to the city, the cost will be huge as it must also offer attractive salaries and expenses for accommodation and travel.

According to Numbeo, the world's largest database of user-contributed data about cities worldwide, Shanghai rates 85.77 on the air pollution index, placing it among the globe's most polluted cities. Within China, however, it is rated cleaner than Beijing, which scores 94.94 on the pollution index. (It's difficult to imagine how much my friend's firm would pay if she were stationed in Beijing.)

Of course, China is not the only country that is notorious for poor air quality. Several cities in Southeast Asia also feature high on Numbeo's index. Singapore's air is rated freshest at 38.67 while Ho Chi Minh City's is foulest, at 94.82. Bangkok is in the middle, at 79.08.

While polution is usually treated as a public-health problem, business also carries a burden in the form of compensation packages for employees moved to cities where air pollution is greater than in their home countries.

Rather than dealing with the symptoms by paying compensation, these companies should focus more on tackling cause of the problem.

Scientific studies show the burning of fossil fuel is the main cause of air pollution. Studies also confirm the connection between air pollution and climate change. As such, burning less fossil fuel should improve air quality, which should address climate change.

The private sector is often attacked for selfish business methods that place profits above any efforts to preserve the environment at the global, regional and national levels.

But a piece of good news came last week, at the Business and Climate Summit - hailed as the highlight of Paris Climate Week.

Last Thursday, 25 business networks representing over 6.5 million companies from more than 130 countries made an unprecedented pledge to lead the global transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. There was recognition that leading businesses are already taking action to build the prosperous, low-carbon economy of the future. In all sectors, business has developed solutions, continues to innovate and is preparing to accelerate the scale and pace of deployment.

The Paris summit was a precursor to the UN Climate Conference (COP21), which will be held in Paris in December. COP21 is expected to bring a new global deal to limit the increase in global temperature to no more than 2 degrees Celsius. The business sector's pledge is a strong signal that business is fully committed to a successful outcome to COP21 and, specifically, to a new global climate deal that works with business to scale-up investment in climate-friendly and climate-resilient technologies.

At the Business and Climate Summit, the private sector called on businesses to develop and implement their own sustainability strategies. Firms should set clear climate targets, develop innovative solutions and step up large-scale partnerships to accelerate transformational technology development. Particular focus needs to be given to the developing world, where funding mechanisms should be set up to fight poverty, while a leap is made towards a low-carbon development path. The fight against climate change requires that traditional investment flows be redirected and mobilised. Innovative mechanisms to leverage public finance and to use finance effectively in all economic sectors in developed and developing countries will be critical.

The private sector has set out powerful initiatives in this battle. Climate change brings natural disasters that can lead to huge loss of life and property all around the world. When a country, particularly in the developing world, is hit by a natural disaster, the purchasing power of its population drops, which takes a toll on both local and foreign companies operating there.

Hopefully, this unprecedented initiative by the private sector will both improve the quality of life of people around the world and spur further action from policymakers.

In our era of globalisation, firms are posting an increasing number of employees overseas. Not all are paying compensation to cover the possible risks. And even if they are offered compensation, many employees will put their health first and turn down the posting.

If the world is left to get on with business as usual, global business will eventually suffer.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Business-TAKES-UP-global-fight-against-pollution-c-30260915.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-26

[canuckamuck]

The private sector has set out powerful initiatives in this battle. Climate change brings natural disasters that can lead to huge loss of life and property all around the world. When a country, particularly in the developing world, is hit by a natural disaster, the purchasing power of its population drops, which takes a toll on both local and foreign companies operating there.

Well we can't have that purchasing power affected.

You know what else effects purchasing power. Wasting all our freaking money on climate hysteria.

[Jonmarleesco]

I'm surprised that Bangkok should rank better than HCMC, which never seems close to as bad.