This presentation was shown by Bill Becker, Executive Director of Presidential Climate Action Plan (PCAP), to support his speech at the event 'The Future we want' organized by Tomorrow's Company.It focuses on the state of play in Washington looking forward to Copenhagen - and explores the power of creating a positive vision of a post-carbon future.The panel that joined this event was formed by: Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A and Sustainable Business, Marks & Spencer Richard John, Head of Sustainability at AECOM Europe; and Dr Jan Ole Kiso, Office of Climate Change, Department of Energy and Climate Change.You can listen to his presentation and the rest of the panel's contributions here.

The researchers from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy conclude that about US$400 billion should be spent worldwide on ‘green’ policies and investments which also help economic recovery and lay the foundations of sustainable low-carbon growth. The report, ‘An outline of the case for a ‘green’ stimulus’, points out that this sum represents about 20 per cent of the US$2 trillion, or 4 per cent of global gross domestic product, that governments might spend in the next 18 months on fiscal stimulus packages to lessen the economic downturn.

As a company committed to sustainable development, Anglo American believes that while its operations may deplete a natural resource in a particular location, it should deliver a combination of improvements in the social and human capacities of the communities around them. A growing number of key stakeholders share this expectation. The attached two-page pdf document (which can be downloaded by clicking on the 'download' link) describes a case study of how Anglo American used the tool at a colliery in South Africa. It briefly summarises the challenge the company faced, and its response.  You can also read an overview/summary of the overall SEAT approach here.

When it comes to engaging with host communities, even the best intentions can go awry without a robust process. Anglo American's award winning Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT) provides a structured way to work with their neighbours to improve their well-being. The attached pdf document (which can be downloaded by clicking on the 'download' link) describes the evaluation carried out by the non-profit organisation "Business for Social Responsibility". It describes why BSI considers this a good example of how to be a force for good business: The review that was carried out The SEAT process The key findings ("SEAT represents an international best practice in sustainable community development" with explanations and examples of why this is so) Conclusions and recommendations The BSR website can be reached here. You can also read a brief overview/summary of the Anglo American approach here.

Foreword to a soft launch of the project and a discussion paper authored by Graham Hubbard of Adelaide University on www.forceforgood.com and www.icaew.com