Climate change to top the bill at CBI conference

The role of business in tackling climate change will be one of the issues topping the bill at the Confederation of British Industry's annual conference this year.


Conservative party leader David Cameron, environment secretary Hilary Benn and Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco, will be among the big names putting the topic under the spotlight.

Other speakers at the two-day event will include Chancellor Alistair Darling, Liberal Democrat leadership contenders Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg, and former BBC director general Greg Dyke.

The interactive conference, which will also focus on private equity and rebuilding public trust in corporate Britain, will take place at the Business Design Centre, in Islington, from November 26 to 27.

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, said: “At a time when corporate leaders are coming under ever greater scrutiny, this year’s CBI conference will touch on the issues that matter to customers, shareholders and the public at large – transparency in company ownership, responsible corporate behaviour and concrete business plans for tackling climate change.

“A formidable cast of business and political speakers will debate how private equity is changing the economy, what businesses can do in the face of climate change and how companies can improve the standing of corporate Britain.”

Mr Cameron will kick-start the discussion on climate change, which will be chaired by Adam Boulton, political editor for Sky News.

A panel including Ben Verwaayen, chief executive of BT and chairman of the CBI Climate Change Task Force, and Robert Napier, chairman of the Met Office, will take part in the debate.

Writer and broadcaster Jeff Randall will chair the debate on private equity, joined by a panel including Tim Parker, former chief executive of the AA, and John Connolly, chief executive and senior partner at Deloitte.

The debate on business reputation will be led by former Sunday Telegraph editor Patience Wheatcroft and speakers will include Greg Dyke and Steve Easterbrook, chief executive of McDonalds.

Kate Martin

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