Global Business Summit for the Environment kicked off here on Thursday, aimed to raise awareness of the corporate world in environmental sustainability.

About 600 business executives and experts attended the two-day event, which was organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Global Compact, to discuss how the private sector, the public and governments can cooperate to address the challenge of climate change.

The event is the first major international conference focusing on business and the environment in Asia, according to the organizers.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Singapore's Minister for The Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim urged businesses to place more emphasis on environmental issues in their business practices that could contribute to global warming.

"Reducing the use of energy and raw materials as well as limiting emissions and waste from production processes are key contributions that businesses can make to help address the global and regional environmental challenges," he said.

He added that other resource conservation strategies, such as using energy-efficient technologies, eco-friendly design for offices and production floor, and purchase of green products for raw materials, could do the job equally well.

He also urged the timber, plantation and paper mill industry to employ sustainable production methods to limit their impact on the environment and the climate.

He cited some successful examples of companies that have married the concept of environmental sustainability together with economic profit, saying that "There is ample evidence to show that it is possible to be pro-environment and economically sound at the same time."

Participants will also discuss subjects such as green investment and financing and sustainable tourism.

On the sidelines of the conference on Friday evening, the UNEP will give out the Champions of the Earth Award to Jacques Rogge, the president of International Olympic Committee, for his work in advancing the sport and environment agenda, along with former United States vice president Al Gore and other five prominent environmentalists, the organizers said.

Source: Xinhua