Corporates be more active in tackling global warming: Doha Bank CEO

Kochi, Nov 18 (UNI) Corporates the world over should be more proactive in tackling global warming by investing in projects for renewable energy, waste management and clean technology, Doha Bank CEO R Seetharaman said.

Making a presentation here on 'Global Warming and Climatic Change Perspective on Corporate and Social responsibility,' last evening, he urged corporates to make environmental management and environmental audit an integral part of their organisations.

Corporate relationship with only those organisations which complied with sound environmental management principles should be encouraged, he added.

The presentation, which was attended by economists, business leaders and bankers, was the latest in the series of such presentations made by Mr Seetharaman in different cities of the world as part of Doha Bank's intiative 'Corporate Social Responsibility' (CSR).

Explaining the 'ECO-nomic' model, Mr Seetharaman said the combination of ecological balance and economics had opened opportunities to address global warming by tapping the power of the global marketplace.

The 'Eco-nomic' business model, in which 'eco' stands for ecology, had attracted a great deal of support as geopolitical, environmental and socio-economic realities had made sustainable industrial production a permanent global issue, he said.

''There are policy initiatives at highest levels to expand the global market for emission trading and foster trade cooperation to improve energy efficiency and develop renewable energy,'' he added.

Warning that the impact of global warming was growing by the day due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, growing pollution and greenhouse gas emission, he said some of the effects already apparent were increasing temperatures, rising sea levels and melting of sea ice and glaciers worldwide.

Severe weather changes were resulting in natural calamities like droughts, floods, storms and heat waves, he said.

''The need to develop environmentally sustainable businesses is becoming stronger, so that the globe remains a healthy place to live,'' he added.

Describing the Doha Bank as a ''green bank'', he said it was committed to be a carbon neutral entity.

UNI