Video conferences could save the planet

A leading scientist from the UN is urging businesses and governments to adopt remote conferencing technology in a bid to save the planet from global warming.

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), told a cross-party committee of MPs last week that the environmental impact of business travel must begin to be addressed.

In most economically developed countries, transport accounts for 40% of carbon emissions.

MPs from the All-party Parliamentary Sustainable Aviation Group met with Dr. Pachauri via video conferencing link.

During the video conference, Dr. Pachauri said that a key way for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint is to substitute travelling to international conferences by investing in audio, video, and web conferencing technologies.

He added that switching to these technologies would be of ‘great benefit’ to the environment.

After the conference, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, Chair of the parliamentary committee, said ‘changing behaviour is vital’.

Lord Faulkner added that he is backing WWF’s ‘One Future Planet’ campaign which asks businesses to pledge to cut out on in five flights, either through video conferencing or by taking the train.