The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) will host a unique half-day Business Leaders Forum on Tuesday, 6 May 2008 addressing Corporate Environmentalism titled: "Good for your Business. Good for the Environment".

In association with the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association and the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, the Forum is designed enhance understanding of how ‘Green’ practices can be best used to drive business strategy and creative competitive advantage.

Professor Mohan Munasinghe (Vice Chairman, UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change & Co-winner, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize) will discuss "Climate Change and Sustainable Development - Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lankan Business" and will join a panel of influential business leaders for thought provoking presentations and practical Case studies.

Gordon Glick, AMCHAM Executive Director, said that "Corporate environmentalism has become so central to companies that all CEOs should strive to integrate it into their businesses. Operational excellence alone is not sufficient - corporate environmentalism must also Steer investments necessary to stay ahead in business." Mr. Glick stressed that "Given the demanding and busy work schedules of the speakers, the fact that they have agreed to speak at this event on an honourary basis is inspiring".

Martin Dudek, Country Manager, DHL Express Sri Lanka and AMCHAM Director said, "Environmental sustainability is the new buzzword in the corporate sector, and is an important issue facing corporate leaders in the developed world. Sri Lankan corporates with a ‘global customer base are compelled to seriously consider the environmental sustainability in their strategies. Because sustainability initiatives are multi-dimensional and debate and solutions are still evolving, there is a need for collaboration across different business functions. Like all strategic issues, corporate environmentalism needs to be looked at within the context of parameters like cost versus service delivery and risk versus opportunity."

Following a presentation on "Going Green in your Supply Chain" by Ms. Anita Gupta, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Sustainability, DHL Asia Pacific, and a case study on MAS Intimates Thurulie - the world’s first carbon neutral apparel manufacturing plant by Vidhura Ralapanawa, Manager, Sustainability & Communications, MAS Intimates, there will be an interactive panel discussion led by Dr. Suren Batagoda, Environmental Scientist and Expert on Carbon Trading and Clean Development Mechanism.