*{Geneva Business Dialogue Conference Report 
  
23 - 24 September 1998 

Eco-efficiency: an essential business tool [http://www.iccwbo.org/home/conferences/reports/geneva_business_dialogue/essential_business_tool.asp]}

The most problematic hidden environmental liability for business relates to how future regulators will approach the issue, Sir Ronald Hampel, Chairman of ICI, told the session on "Handling the environmental liabilities of globalization: what is the winning mix for business?"
Sir Ronald also suggested that business needs to employ the best available science to work out the real liabilities associated with its environmental risks. He warned that over costly clean-up exercises do not simply end up as a bill for industry but rather the cost comes to the economy as a whole.
Egil Myklebust, President and CEO, Norsk Hydro, said the concept of eco-efficiency, with its emphasis on creating more with less resources, was an essential tool for business whether for the purposes of achieving economic growth or environmental progress. He said the most important prerequisite for business in the process of globalization – including its environmental aspects — was the existence of "business opportunities" within an enabling framework.
Shinji Fukukawa, Chairman and CEO, Dentsu Institute for Human Studies, said that in Japan the three E’s, "economy, energy supply and environmental protection" were given the highest policy priority. 
The whole government apparatus has been called on to cooperate and coordinate joint activities in these critical areas. 

*partie=titre UNEP favours incentives *partie=nil 

Jacqueline Aloisi de Larderel, Director, UN Environment Programme, Paris, said there was a need to shift from command and control systems of environmental protection to a more incentive-driven model. 
Voluntary initiatives were crucial, she said. Mrs Aloisi de Larderel said the growth of the global environmental market was an attractive business opportunity in itself. 

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