Mr De Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (‘UNFCCC’) - who facilitated the recent climate summit in Copenhagen - will have an international role working with KPMG member firms in advising business, governments and other organizations on sustainability issues.
“Concerns over energy prices, energy security and climate change are driving a new agenda for sustainable economic growth.
“Sustainability is high on the agenda of investors, companies and governments alike. This demands new partnerships that foster strong economic growth, while respecting the need to protect the environment.
“Although it is the role of governments to provide the necessary policy frameworks, I have always maintained that business will deliver the necessary innovation and solutions, providing the right conditions are created. With KPMG, I now have a chance to help make that happen.
“Working with my colleagues at the UNFCCC Secretariat has been a tremendous experience. After the Copenhagen climate conference, countries responsible for 80 percent of energy related CO2 emissions have submitted national plans and targets to address climate change.”
“We are delighted and proud to welcome Yvo De Boer to KPMG. He is bringing with him enormous knowledge and experience of climate change, sustainability and environmental policies.
“These issues are becoming increasingly important for all organizations – and many business leaders acknowledge that climate will affect the way they do business in the future.
“At KPMG, our member firms are building teams that have in-depth insight and skills, which can open up new opportunities for their clients and help them with an increasingly complex web of corporate governance and reporting, emerging regulation and taxes.
”Yvo De Boer will have a key role in developing a sustainability framework for our firms’ clients, and will – without question – bring our insights to a new level.”
Mr. De Boer has led the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat since 2006. Before that he was extensively involved in European Union environmental policy as deputy Director General of the Dutch Environment Ministry. Mr. De Boer has also served as Vice-chair of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development, acted as an advisor to the Government of China and the World Bank and worked closely with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. During the last Dutch Presidency of the EU he led a special project under the title “a clean, clever and competitive Europe”, to explore new directions in economic growth.