"There is no need for you to wait for a multilateral agreement to be made to produce new agreements in the climate issue."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that all stakeholders in the business sector and components in business entities had a role to play in the preservation of the environment.
He said before the Business Forum for the Environment here on Thursday that the government could not work alone to overcome climate change and prevent environmental damages. He said businesses could also play a role in the efforts.
"To secure the climate in the future we need a huge scheme involving government policies, international cooperation, market players` initiatives, technological innovations, public participation and corporate cooperation," he said.
"That is why you as industrial leaders could contribute significantly to the efforts. There is no need for you to wait for a multilateral agreement to be made to produce new agreements in the climate issue," he said.
Citing an example he said businessmen in the technology industries could contribute by producing products without using fossil fuels while businessmen in the construction and design sectors could contribute by constructing buildings using green technology.
"We have businessmen in the forestry, agricultural and food sectors that could share for the best management of agricultural and forestry exploitation. Together private and public sectors could cooperate to realize it," he said.
Sharing President Yudhoyono`s views the administrator of the UNDP, Helen Clark, said that the trend developing in the community now was that people preferred to buy products from companies that care about the environment and promote a green lifestyle.
"We need more large-scale solutions for our planet. A success in one area often begins through transformation," she said.
The former prime minister of New Zealand said with strong commitment to environment sustainability companies would continue to make profit and have better business opportunities.
Helen also underlined the importance of strong government policies on the environment to answer climate and environmental problems now facing the world.
The Business Forum for the Environment was initiated by the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the ministry of environment. Hundreds of businessmen from home and abroad attended the event which was expected to be able to become a forum for exchange of experiences in carrying out environment-oriented and green businesses.
(T.P008*F008/H-YH/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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