Conferentie over klimaat en industrie (en)

When the Presidency arranged a conference in Brussels today focus was on the climate and the role played by industry in the work on climate issues. The participants included Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HRH Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium and well-known Swedish business leaders.

”The costs incurred by global warming will increase day by day unless measures are taken. But if we act now, then we will not merely limit these costs, we will also be able to create new job opportunities and business opportunities”, said the Prime Minister in his introductory remarks.

He mentioned businesses that have been successful and made profits thanks to long-term climate policies.

”We can all take advantage of this. It creates job opportunities and helps contribute to continued economic growth. So far Europe is leading the field, but more countries will want to catch up. Competitors in other parts of the world are discovering the opportunities. Europe must continue to intensify its efforts. The companies that have jumped on the green train are better equipped to meet the future than those left behind on the platform.”

EU Commissioner Margot Wallström also attended the conference and spoke about EU efforts for the climate and the environment. She pointed out that no other region has established such ambitious goals and produced the tools to reach them.

”But it is less than ninety days left until the conference in Copenhagen and an enormous amount of work remains to be done. I continue to believe that we will be able to reach our goal, but we must raise our ambitions.”

Margot Wallström emphasised that unless more commitments are made, world temperatures will increase by three degrees.

“To do nothing will have fatal consequences for the economy and for people.”

Various aspects of the issues of climate and employment were discussed in two panel debates. Taking part in the debates were President of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation Wanja Lundby-Wedin, Chairman of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise Signhild Arnegård Hansen, Leif Östling of Scania, Tom Johnstone from SKF and Lars G Josefsson from Vattenfall.

The industrial leaders agreed that industry is ready for sustainable development. Energy consumption in European companies has decreased significantly over the past few decades and the energy efficiency process continues. What is now required, according to the corporate leaders, is a change of attitude among consumers and that consumer are informed about which products are more energy intensive.

”Consumer awareness is the best help to ensure that investments are made in the green economy. To the industry the best help is to meet the demand”, said Leif Östling.

The Prime minister of Belgium concluded the conference. In his speech he expressed his support for the work of the Swedish Presidency to reach an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen.