http://www.rtcc.org/business/in-tweets-highlights-from-the-global-climate-change-forum/

 

Government needs to set an example - and business will follow.

 

That was the conclusion from the 2012 Global Climate Change Forum, which brought leaders from industrial and financial sectors together to discuss the challenge posed by climate change.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Chief economist Fatih Birol highlighted the urgency of the issue, warning that the world is currently on a trajectory to warm by six degrees, four degrees above what scientists would be a critical temperature.

"Efforts in the EU are important in setting leadership but in terms of reducing carbon dioxide they do not matter that much," he said. "If there are no major changes in investment by 2017 then the door to 2C will be closed forever".

Paul Abberley from Aviva Investors suggested that public awareness in the UK on carbon markets and climate change was "next to zero," while Schroders Senior Advisor Alan Brown ended a surreal part of the discussion by calling for direct action and protests.

The Forum was followed around the world on Twitter, using the hashtag #CDPforum - we've curated a selection of what we believe are the key points from a fascinating debate.