POZNAN, Poland, December 9 /PRNewswire/ --

- Emphasis on Profit Rather Than Policy and Regulation Essential for Green Ambitions

Prof. C.K. Prahalad speaking from Poznan has claimed that global business rather than bureaucracy should be recognised as the main driver to climate change solutions. From the Econcern Sustainable Energy Event, running alongside the COP14 talks, Prof. C.K. Prahalad said: global businesses are the link between millions of global consumers and thousands of suppliers all over the world. They have a huge influence over global ecosystems; not least because they have the scale, scope and infrastructure to enforce sustainable standards. We tend to forget that the most successful global institution today is global business. We cannot afford to continue to be afraid of profit motivated business driving the solutions to climate change.

Prof. C.K. Prahalad, top management guru, talking about the global discourse on climate change warned that currently 90% of the discussion focused on compliance (policy and legislation), 7% on consumer behaviour and only 3% on change through business innovation. He said that of the three roads to sustainability 60% of the focus should be on business; 20% compliance and 20% on consumer behaviour.

Prof. C.K. Prahalad told delegates that the view of global business as the enemy of climate change solutions was outdated. He demonstrated that a change of mind-set is already happening as global businesses, many of whom he advises, recognise the huge opportunity that sustainable development through technological innovation presents. Particularly in the current economic climate, businesses are playing a major role in finding sustainable solutions due to the volatility of fossil fuel prices, emerging markets and pressure on profits.

Commenting on Prof. C.K. Prahalad's speech Econcern chairman of the board Ad van Wijk said: Our way to our mission, a sustainable energy supply for everyone, is paved with real business solutions to climate change. For technology to be adopted and transferred across the world it needs to be sustainable in a business sense also.

Prof. C.K. Prahalad

Prof. C.K. Prahalad is widely acknowledged as one of the world's most significant forces in corporate thinking. He has been voted the world's most influential living management thinker and is the first Indian-origin thinker to claim the title. His research specialises in corporate strategy and the role and value added of top management in large, diversified, multinational corporations. He has helped companies such as ATT, Ahlstrom, Honeywell, Rockwell, and Steelcase look at their core capabilities and market opportunities in a transformational way.

About Econcern

Econcern's mission is 'a sustainable energy supply for everyone'. Econcern consists of operating companies Ecofys, Ecostream, Evelop, Ecoventures and OneCarbon. Together they deliver unique projects, innovative products and services for a sustainable energy supply. Econcern employs more than 1,200 professionals in 20 countries across the world and is ranked 234th in Business Week's list of Europe's fastest growing companies.

Econcern Sustainable Energy Event

Econcern is currently hosting (1-12 December) the Econcern Sustainable Energy Event alongside the COP14 in Poznan, Poland. Econcern is at the event to show how in practical terms ambitious climate targets can be achieved through profitable business solutions. To find out more and for a full programme of events at the Econcern Sustainable Energy Event please visit http://www.cop14poznan.com

For more information please contact: Insert details, Renee Schnitzler, Senior Press Officer Econcern, M: +31(0)611-869-836, E: r.schnitzler@econcern.com