Cooperation key to being Green
Date: 29-10-2007
Source: Shanghai Daily
Cooperation between government, business and society is essential for building an environmentally friendly city, business leaders said yesterday after a forum to advise on a greener future for Shanghai.
Businesses that focus on true long-term sustainability must see the importance of energy-efficient operations, said Samuel A. DiPiazza Jr, CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd.
Yet some companies take a very short-term view. "In that case, the government must set standards that prevent those companies from taking advantage of their community and their environment," stressed DiPiazza.
He was speaking after the successful 19th meeting of the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai held yesterday in the city.
Global corporate leaders shared their insights on measures Shanghai could take to build a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly city.
Understanding that the auto industry plays an important role in causing problems such as pollution and high energy consumption, Richard Wagoner, chairman and CEO of General Motors Corp, said that his company is working on vehicles driven by such clean energy as bio-energy and electricity.
He added that GM is due to announce a major new partnership in Shanghai today to speed the development of advanced-technology vehicles and alternative fuel research.
One important lesson that Wagoner suggests Shanghai can learn from the experience of other cities is that it's better to use industry technology to solve environmental problems rather than using non-market forces, such as regulations, to limit car production.
"I think the example of very good highway systems, very good integration of public and private transportation, correct price of the cost of transportation - all these things, if integrated, can give you a better solution than just banning private transportation," said Wagoner.
"One of the things that distinguishes Shanghai is the open way in which business leaders are received by the city and a desire for an open exchange of ideas on how the city can continue to advance," said Wagoner.
He believes that this is an opportunity to think ahead about future ways to help not only Shanghai, but other cities around the world.
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