The Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force in 2005, sets binding targets for governments to reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions. The 15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Climate Change, to be convened in December 2009, will bring together government ministers from 189 countries to negotiate and adopt a post-Kyoto framework. It is expected that the new framework will commit governments to cut emissions further.

The World Business Summit on Climate Change will take place at a critical time in the negotiation process, six months prior to the COP 15. The Summit will bring together hundreds of top executives with governments, leading scientists and heads of civil society to explore how business can contribute to solve the climate crisis through innovative business models, new partnerships and the development of low-carbon technologies. Participants will outline the business perspective on a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change and present ideas and solutions to best tackle climate change without compromising prosperity and growth.

The Summit will produce a set of collective recommendations to the world’s political leaders negotiating the new climate treaty.