Helping the planet is a black and white issue

THIS evening in Edinburgh, Capgemini is hosting what will be Scotland's first ever carbon neutral ball to focus attention on the urgent need for environmental change and raise funds for The Prince's Trust.

The Black and White Ball also aims to redefine luxury through the concept of "eco-chic" and has achieved carbon neutrality by purchasing carbon credits.

As well as offering guests a touch of glamour, the ball has an important role in reminding guests from Scotland's business, political and cultural arenas, that the need for action on climate change is "black and white".

The ball also brings together the environment and community streams of our sustainability programme to focus on our impact on the environment as well as the communities we operate within, and aspects of this evening will echo these goals.

There is no doubt about the urgency of responding to the threat of climate change. For all of Scotland's business leaders, there can be little doubt as to the responsibility placed on us to rise to this challenge.

This challenge puts pressures on companies to address their environmental policies and reduce their carbon footprint.

This is a process which, if not already under way, needs to be on every company's immediate agenda. It is therefore vital that we, as responsible business leaders, look carefully at our infrastructure and policies to ensure that sustainability and improving energy efficiency is integral to our way of work.

It will also be increasingly important to their reputation for businesses to be able to prove their green credentials, with consumers and investors becoming more discerning.

Environmental responsibility can also mean profitability and competitive advantage. It is those companies that are ahead of the game in sustainable measures that will be able to steal a march in terms of reducing their bills, increasing the value of their property and reaping any fiscal incentives.

Perhaps tonight's guests will be reminded of the responsibility we all must accept to protect our planet.

• John Duncanson is managing director of Capgemini Scotland.