"Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and the World at Work ".

United Nations General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim convened on 11 and 12 February 2008, at UN Headquarters in New York, a thematic debate entitled "Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and the World at Work ".

Two interactive panel discussions took place on 11 February in the Trusteeship Council Chamber:
Rising to the Challenge: Parnerships on Climate Change
Responding to a Multifaceted Challence: The UN at Work
On 12 and 13 February 2008 there was a discussion open to all in which Member States made statements.
Carbon NeutralThe thematic debate on climate change is carbon neutral. Over the two day period, the carbon dioxide emissions of the United Nations Headquarters conference venue and the emissions from air travel to bring panelists, special guests, heads of state and government, ministers, and representatives of specially invited NGOs to the debate, have been off-set. This was achieved by investing in a biomass fuel project in Andhra Pradesh, India. The project reduces carbon emissions by displacing fossil-based power generation with renewable energy from agricultural waste that would otherwise rot or burn producing carbon dioxide or methane emissions. In addition to providing power stability to the electric grid and help reduce the ever-increasing demand and supply gap of electricity in the region, this high quality renewable energy project provides significant local social, economic and environmental benefits. Further details on carbon offsetting methodology and the carbon offset project can be found on the information note.


speeches of note-
Keynote address by Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group