International business leaders gathered in London for "Climate change: the business forecast", a conference hosted jointly by Defra, Department of Trade and Industry and the Climate Group this week.
The conference explored how business can encourage energy-efficient investment and business opportunities in a low carbon economy.
Speaking at the conference trade and industry secretary Alan Johnson said: "We know that business needs a framework that is clear, coherent and committed. Government's job is to provide that framework at home and internationally so that business is encouraged to seek out opportunities and innovate for the long term.
"The smartest companies know already that business as usual isn't an option and, to succeed in a carbon constrained world, it makes sense to invest and think differently about their energy use."
International climate change negotiations in Montreal in December will work on how the international community can take forward action to combat climate change.
Environment secretary Margaret Beckett said nobody should expect to see an agreement this year as the negotiating process would take time. "I recognise that there is uncertainty and that this has a real impact on your businesses. You are required to make investment decisions now that span well beyond 2012, and you will need to look for signals from science and from politicians,” she told delegates.
"I would like to suggest that the signals we have seen in 2005 point in only one direction - a future in which there will be ever tighter constraints on the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which are emitted to the atmosphere."
Beckett said the outcomes of the UK's G8 Presidency - both in terms of discussions on the science and policy - had reinforced the need for action in Montreal.
"For me, the debate about the science is over. The Exeter conference concluded that there was 'greater clarity and reduced uncertainty about the impacts of climate change across a wide range of systems, sectors and societies'.
"G8 leaders recognised the serious and long-term nature of this challenge in July, and agreed to act with urgency to tackle it. The practical measures they agreed focus on using the technology we have now to make a real difference to our emissions right away."
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