"It is not too late to stop climate change, but we need to act now. We must reduce carbon emissions quickly and over time eliminate carbon emissions from energy production completely. In the coming years we need to add much more renewable energy. We also need to reduce CO2 emissions from thermal power-plants, which we will be dependent on for many decades to come to guarantee a safe supply of energy. Finally we need to continue energy savings to curb demand. It is not the first time we are faced with challenges due to our consumption of energy. But we have solved them before and we can do again".

The global climate change negotiations will be difficult and complex, but their success is critical if we are to avoid the impact of climate change. The Copenhagen Climate Council can make a critical contribution by ensuring a real dialogue between business and governments to change the direction in the way society works.  The role of business is critical in achieving this.

"As business leaders and as nations we need to challenge ourselves and our traditional ways of thinking and we need to seize the unique opportunity which the Copenhagen Summit 2009 offers to do something good for the global environment and at the same time do good business."

"The scientific verdict on climate change is long-since decided; we must act now, not in a decade, but now. The financial case has also become clear: It is past time to create the new clean and low-carbon energy economy. The Copenhagen Climate Council is the right venue at the right time to forge new understanding of the opportunities to blend best science with progressive economics to create new business opportunities that can bring about the energy system we want, not just tinker with the one we inherited."

"We Need Sustainable Capitalism. Nature Does Not Do Bailouts." Headline from an opinion article co-authored by David Blood and Al Gore. The Wall Street Journal, November 5, 2008.

Ditlev Engel has been a member of the Executive Management of Vestas since May 2005. Former positions include Vice President of Hempel Hong Kong Ltd. and Hempel Hai Hong Ltd. (Hong Kong), President of Hempel Norge AS (Norway) and of Hempel Hai Hong Ltd. (China). Honorary Offices include memberships of The General Council of the Confederation of Danish Industries, The Industrial Policy Committee of the Confederation of Danish Industries and The Committee of Representatives Topdanmark. Ditlev Engel has a background in Business Economics (Copenhagen Business School) and General Management (INSEAD, France).

Dr. Zhengrong Shi is Suntech's founder, chairman of the board of directors and CEO. Prior to founding Suntech in 2001, he was a research director and executive director of Pacific Solar Pty., Ltd., an Australian PV company engaged in the commercialization of next-generation thin film technology. Dr. Shi is the inventor for 11 patents in PV technologies and has published or presented a number of articles and papers in PV-related scientific magazines and at conferences. Dr. Shi received a bachelor's degree in optical science from Jilin University in China in 1983, a master's degree in laser physics from the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1986, and a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of New South Wales in Australia in 1992.

"The world is currently heading towards a financial crisis of unprecedented magnitude. This will not be a consequence only of the current global crises on the financial markets, but an inevitable consequence of climate changes. The world’s leaders take upon themselves an immense responsibility if they do not react swiftly and boldly to the dramatic consequences of global warming, which climate leaders such as Professor Steven Chu, member of the Copenhagen Climate Council, warns against today at the Climate Community. They could ultimately lead to complete global economic collapse. But, as the Copenhagen Climate Council also argues, climate change should not only be thought of as a great risk but also a great opportunity for innovation and economic growth."

"Most people today understand the urgency of climate change. But few are prepared to act. As economic gloom and government intervention of unprecedented proportions mark a new era, today's key question is whether we can turn crisis into opportunity and lay the foundation for a low-carbon economy that creates jobs, fosters innovation, and advances economic efficiency."