New Scientist
16 December 2013 by Michael Slezak
Magazine issue 2947
page 29 of printed magazine
Profile
Ian Dunlop, a former oil, gas and coal industry executive and ex-chair of the Australian Coal Association, now directs Safe Climate Australia. Last month he ran for a seat on mining giant BHP Billiton's board on a climate change ticket
You now champion a low-carbon economy. Why do you want a seat on the board of BHP, the world's biggest mining company?
If I got on it, I would hope to spark a much more extensive discussion on climate issues. We need emergency action if we are going to stop the worst outcomes of climate change becoming a reality. Corporations have been waiting for government to develop the right policies. But it has become clear that governments are never going to provide that leadership, so if we want to see serious action then business is going to have to lead it.
Why should businesses take the lead?
It is in their own interest. If you look at the science, we are headed for a world, on current policies, where temperatures will go up by at least 4 °C (7F) by the end of the century. Business in that world is not possible. The potential damage to shareholder value is huge.
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