As consumers, we all have the potential to help tackle climate change. Our everyday actions - how we get around, how we run our homes and what we buy - influence over 60% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. But until now the climate change debate in the UK has seemed abstract to many people, focused on government policy and business practice rather than on everyday lives. However, if we are serious about tackling climate change, it is crucial we make it everyone's business.
With a general election due before summer 2010, the CBI is calling on all political parties to clarify how they would encourage consumers to take action on climate change. Our suggestions here should be seen as the first step in what must be a broad-based and inclusive debate, bringing together government, the private sector and civil society.
We do not see the end of this brief as the end of the debate. We want to hear from business, government and civil society about our ideas. We will take forward our final recommendations in the new year, particularly in the run-up to the general election. Any thoughts, comments or input would be gratefully received by 15 January.
If you want to get in touch, or for a copy of this report in large text format, please email us at climatechange@cbi.org.uk
Download: Everyone's business: time to focus on consumers and climate change