Juniper calls for greater private sector green engagement

A former Friends of the Earth director and lifelong environmental campaigner has delivered a rallying call to London's business community to refocus on the environment.


Tony Juniper, speaking today (November 16) said he could count ‘on one hand’ the number of big businesses leading on environmentalism.

Speaking at the ICUN event The Economics of Nature: Taking Stock, Sharing Action, in central London, Mr Juniper called for more actions and less words from business leaders.

While he accepted the likes of Marks and Spencer, Kingfisher and Unilever were taking the lead others were ignoring the call.

Mr Juniper, who two years ago, made headlines for attacking celebrities for backing green causes for ‘PR points’

He said: “Where’s the business case for getting involved?

“The private sector needs to join in and introduce this narrative, to put it across to the bigger society.

“But at the moment’s there’s no clear narrative so while some businesses use sustainable palm oil, reuse water or reduce waste … there’s no overall plan.

“The private sector needs to lead on a narrative for the environment … or there will be wider systematic failure.”

Luke Walsh

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