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Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Part of UK in Austria

7th October 2019 Vienna, Austria

“Our Planet: Our Business” – what you can do

What climate-induced catastrophes might a child born today experience?  Such a child might see the disappearance of insects and pollinators.  During the child’s lifetime, plant and animal species will be wiped out and crops could fail.  This child may watch the coral reefs bleach and die.  She or he will wonder why the adults of today could not have done more.

What can, and should, businesses be doing right now?

The UK was the first G7 country to adopt a legally binding Net Zero emissions target. In 2020 the UK has been nominated to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, “COP 26”, which will take an ‘all of society’ approach to action.  The UK has doubled its commitment to the Green Climate Fund, pledging £1.44bn for the next period.  Last month, the UK announced a new £220m Biodiversity Fund aimed at backing global projects to prevent the loss of habitats and species and saving those most at risk.

UK organisations have leading capabilities in green finance and expertise in technical and business services to support the low-carbon transition across sectors including offshore wind, smart energy and electric vehicles.  London is already a green finance hub, with a cluster of key banks and investment funds based in London.  Out of the total $167.6b green bonds issued globally in 2018, $25.3b (or 15%) were issued by the London Stock Exchange.

Businesses have a vital role to play in creating sustainable business models and products. This is why the Department for International Trade, which promotes UK trade and works to attract foreign direct investment, has launched the “Sustainable Fast Track UK” campaign.  DIT is looking to attract to the UK innovative start-ups with sustainable products or services in infrastructure, finance, energy, agriculture, health and life sciences and manufacturing.  We are looking for the top 100 companies across Europe. More information about the campaign is here (“free office space in London… Mission to Africa…”)  Check it out.

In support of all this, last month the Embassy in Vienna held an event for more than 50 business leaders and others with the World Wild Fund for Nature to showcase the beautiful film ‘Our Planet: Our Business’.  The film presents an important message on the role business plays in preventing climate change.  After watching the film, we discussed what business could do to make a difference.  89 percent of our guests said, that “going greener” had a positive effect on their competitiveness in a global market.

Tackling climate change is not just for business or government but for all of us.  We urge you to watch the film; to share it (it’s free!), and to discuss its messages and what you can do.  Whether as an individual, a small business, or an industry leader, it’s time for action.

About Leigh Turner

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of…

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of the UN and other organisations; stories here will reflect that.

About me: I arrived in Vienna in August 2016 for my second posting in this wonderful city, having first served here in the mid-1980s. My previous job was as HM Consul-General and Director-General for Trade and Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Istanbul.

Further back: I grew up in Nigeria, Exeter, Lesotho, Swaziland and Manchester before attending Cambridge University 1976-79. I worked in several government departments before joining the Foreign Office in 1983.

Keen to go to Africa and South America, I’ve had postings in Vienna (twice), Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, Kyiv and Istanbul, plus jobs in London ranging from the EU Budget to the British Overseas Territories.

2002-6 I was lucky enough to spend four years in Berlin running the house, looking after the children (born 1992 and 1994) and doing some writing and journalism.

To return to Vienna as ambassador is a privilege and a pleasure. I hope this blog reflects that.