Vem driver klimatfrågan när politiken inte räcker till?

- Teknologin och lösningarna för en hållbar värld finns, menar Ed Groark ordförande för Worldwatch Institute, men vi behöver hitta rätt väg för att göra övergången.

Rapporten visar att politiker inte gjort tillräckligt för att bemöta klimatfrågan, och att det till stor del beror på tryck från multinationella företag som står i vägen. Det krävs en ”botten-upp” rörelse från samhället, med nya ledare som medvetet bygger hållbart. Lokala politiska ledare och samhällen kan i samarbete göra stora skillnader.

Kristina Persson, ordförande i Global Utmaning fortsatte på det spåret och förklarade att förändring måste uppstå mellan botten-upp aktörer och upplysta ledare inom politiken.

- Vårt samhälle bygger på lagar och regler från 50-talet och efterkrigstiden som inte tjänar oss längre, säger Kristina Persson. Vidare menade hon att det krävs bättre ledarskap med långsiktigt tänk för att vi ska se förändring, men att en rädsla för att tackla dessa frågor, och en rädsla för förändring står i vägen för detta.

Seminariet fortsatte med en paneldiskussion med Ed Groark, Kristina Persson, Maria Sunér Fleming, ansvarig energi- och klimat på Svenskt Näringsliv och Sven Hunhammar, klimatchef för Naturskyddsföreningen. Här är några citat från panelen.

Sven Hunhammar, Naturskyddsföreningen:
“The big challenge is how to govern. Technology is very helpful but certainly not enough.”

“We need to use the grassroot mobilization to push for change.
I don’t think the business sector is doing enough. And governments need to provide a better market to stop the bad solutions and alleviate for good solutions.”

“We can’t wait for others to act. Sweden has to act, and the European Union has to act. “

Maria Sunér Fleming, Svenskt näringsliv:
“There are different circumstances for different business sectors in addressing these questions. For some it is really easy and they can be climate efficient, whereas for others it is very difficult. What we need is for businesses and governments to talk each other. Policies and regulations are tricky. A carbon tax for instance hits different industries very differently, and is perhaps not the best way to go about it.“

“We [Swedish companies] can be front runners by having competitive products that are climate efficient. This is a different perspective on what it means to be a front runner.”

“We need to have an economy that works, where Europe can be more competitive in the market, and that would help the businesses to contribute more instead of moving. Energy prices in Europe make it difficult for some major industries to stay in Europe”

Kristina Persson, Global Utmaning:
“Investments have been very low for a long time. There is a big shortage in building sustainable infrastructure in the world. This needs governance and decisive actions. There is no global governance, so we need national and local governments to take action. In Sweden we have low debt, and high unemployment. We should invest in infrastructure. Governments. We need changes on the tax systems for the climate and for the jobs.”

“Some business leaders and some political leaders are doing good, but definitely not a majority.”

“Energy efficiency is a good solution to help businesses stay profitable in making more sustainable products. There is an initial cost in building more energy efficient structures, but it will pay off in the long run.”

Ed Groark, Worldwatch institute:
“There are many examples of businesses that have reduced their waste, and carbon footprint, and the consumers have embraced the change and they continue to be profitable.”

Social movements take a long time, and they are organic, which means that they are changing as they go. There are leaders both in businesses and governments that are being active in promoting good change. And they are increasing in time. This is a force that is gaining strength and momentum. Perhaps it is not going fast enough. “

“There is so much that governments can do. For instance in the US they lease out the land that the oil and energy companies are using. They could just stop!“

”There isn’t room on the bookshelf for another doomsday book. I think people are looking forward to solutions oriented information.”

Moderator var Eva Krutmeijer och arrangörer var Norden i Fokus i samarbete med Global Utmaning och Worldwatch Institute.