When the world’s nations meet at COP15 in Copenhagen this December to negotiate a settlement about the climate, it concerns securing the society we have today. But it is also about generating a sustainable society that will be the cornerstone for the economic growth of the future.
By Connie Hedegaard
This December, 192 countries will be represented in Copenhagen. The goal for Denmark is clear and unmistakable: We must have an ambitious global agreement that reduces the emission of greenhouse gases. And there is no time to loose, for all signs point to the need for us to find a more sustainable way of life. In this, the business community plays a central part in coming up with concrete solutions.
This would not only benefit the climate. The Scandinavian countries can no longer live on yesterday’s polluting industries. In many parts of the world, industries are ready to produce goods, such as clothes, with working conditions and environmental standards that we would never accept. Therefore, we have to develop new green products and ways of production, if we wish to stay in the forefront of the international business community. The way for us to make money is through clever solutions and good ideas.
The Nordic countries have always been good at developing innovative products and creating technological solutions. We excel both within design and innovative ideas. It is therefore natural for us to take advantage of the demand for solutions to climate issues, continuing our development and securing Scandinavian products as a part of the cure for our dependency on fossil fuels.
A case in point is Denmark’s green business community in the midst of an economic crisis. The latest figures for 2008 show an increase of 19% in the Danish export of energy technology. That is four times as much as the increase in the regular export. This goes to show that it pays to think green for the business community – today and in the future.
9 billion people in 2050
In 2050, there will be 9 billion people on the globe. And 8 billion of these will live in what is called developing countries. For them to have access to the same resources and economic growth, we need to find better ways of exploiting our resources. We cannot keep polluting our planet and overconsuming fossil fuel the way we do today. It is simply unsound, scientists tell us. Moreover, they tell us that now is the time for action because if we do not act today, the cost of taking the necessary steps will only increase in the future. In short: the price of delaying action against climate change will go up, the longer we wait.
In Copenhagen, it is important that politicians from the developing nations make common cause with us from the western countries, for both the industrialised and developing nations depend on unity about the climate issue. And obviously, we in Europe and the Western world must lead the way and reduce the most. In this, the EU has already taken the lead by promising regulations that will cut down 20% on CO2 emission by 2020 compared to the level of 1990. And the EU is ready to cut down 30% as a part of a global agreement in Copenhagen. That is why it is important for the remaining countries - responsible for emitting a great deal of CO2 in the 20th and 21st century – to take responsibility for it and commit to binding agreements now. Without binding goals for the rich part of the world, we will not secure China and India’s participation in an international agreement.
A future challenge
To a great extent, climate changes are a challenge for the future. Yet, it is already a problem today for a number of the world’s poorest nations.
Thus, it is not possible to consider the climate challenge from a strictly Danish or European perspective. Surely, we in Denmark could reduce our consumption of energy and pollute less. But to have an effect, it is essential that all nations of the world join in.
That is the dilemma of climate changes. The rich countries are responsible for the majority of the historical emission, however, it is countries like Bangladesh that experience the consequences in the shape of: flooded fields, entire villages wiped of the map by storm surges and major difficulties in getting food and aid to the population of the affected areas.
That is among the consequences, which we experience today. Scientists tell us that from now on the threat of climate changes will only increase, if we allow our current treatment of the planet to continue. Meanwhile, scientists also say that we can take action now to reduce future consequences.
Poor countries must join the climate agreement
We cannot make changes without involving the poor nations that now struggle with the consequences of the climate changes. For them to get the opportunity for growth in the 21st century, it has to be a sound, sustainable growth.
Therefore, it is important to secure their access to technological solutions enabling the construction of a green growth society. It is essential that the industrialised nations give them the economic support required for the adjustment to the changes in the climate. But all the while, they must contribute to the international climate agreement.
It is neither fair nor right, but that is how matters stand. Even though the poorest nations have not polluted the globe, they are a part of the solution. However, it is crystal clear that the rich part of the world must contribute the most to the reduction of pollution as well as economically.