17 December 2008: During a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York, US, George Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Office, noted that businesses worldwide are recognizing that social and environmental governance issues are essential for long-term profitability.

He said there is no clear way for how to provide access to over one
billion people who lack potable water and reduce carbon dioxide
emissions by 80%. He stressed the need for a fundamental socioeconomic
change and “the full engagement of the private sector,” noting the
merits of a “green deal” combining stimulus packages with environmental
conservation. Kell underlined that over 300 members of the “Caring for
Climate” initiative have focused on business solutions to climate
change in a post-2012 policy framework. [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General’s Statement]