ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book localizes theory on carbon governance, and internationalizes local climate issues in British Columbia, the UK and California. With specific focus on roles of innovation, capital and carbon policy, the Carbon Governance Project (CGP) explored current business and governance models, as well as the future responses needed to enhance opportunities for economic growth while enabling a low carbon future. The CGP workshops explored fundamental questions about how the private sector conceptualizes the problem of climate change, the conditions under which business transformation can genuinely take place. The risk and dangers of catastrophic climate change become more evident. The United Kingdom has taken a strong leadership position on climate change from a policy driver perspective. In 2008, the UK passed the Climate Change Act, which requires the country to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2050.
