Speech
the Green Week conference, Brussels 26 June 2009
Andreas Carlgren, Minister for the Environment

Green Week speech: the Road to Copenhagen

I became minister at the same time the world's attention towards climate change suddenly exploded. The knowledge about the threat towards our climate existed since long among scientists, the environmentalists and not the least among the NGO's. But in these months, late 2006 and early 2007, the awareness among politicians in general, the public, media and business community suddenly came.

The awareness created political will. The EU formulated the most ambitious targets that any group of countries has presented. EU became the engine in the climate change negotiations.

Today we meet the expectations, hopes and demands of so many, in Europe and in the world. This autumn will be an ultimate test for the strength of the environmental interest of the world: with UN conference on climate in Copenhagen and at the same time financial crisis. Let us not misinterpret: we will experience an unique window of opportunity.

Sweden will lead Europe on this last part of the road to Copenhagen. And as incoming presidency I say loud and clear: EU will continue to show leadership! The Swedish Presidency is aiming at an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen! There are no alternatives. No plan B. The agreement shall include all nations and enables us to keep the 2 degrees target in reach. One that unleashes the forces for sustainable development.

Within an ambitious agreement EU should reduce its emissions by 30 per cent. That decision is not unconditional. Our ambition is to bring others with us to 30 %. We will use our decision to get from 20 to 30% as a lever to get sufficient commitments and measures from the rest of the world, and this upgrading will not happen without the sufficient reductions by the rest of the world.

We know what science has taught us: global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2020 at the latest. They must be reduced by at least 50 % as compared with 1990 levels by 2050. Developed countries must take the lead and collectively reduce their emissions by 25 to 40 % by 2020 and by 80 to 95% by 2050. Among the developing countries, the emerging economies must ensure a deviation of 15-30% from their business as usual emissions by 2020.

So far, in total, the commitments from developed countries seem to fall short of what is required. EU is aware that other developed countries have presented their first bids in the negotiation. And we now urge them to raise their commitments, so that developed countries collectively reach an emission target in line with the imperatives of science. EU also urges the emerging economies to come forward with stronger national efforts as a part of an international agreement. Without their enhanced efforts we can never solve the climate crisis - and we are in this boat together.

Let me add that the least developed countries and the small islands developing states are not expected to contribute to the mitigation efforts. They have not contributed to the climate problem but they are among those who suffer most. For them the mitigation efforts of the developed countries and the major emerging economies are crucial. The less ambitious mitigation targets, the more adaptation actions will be needed. For that reason we have a responsibility to mitigate as well as to support the adaptation efforts of the least developed countries and the small islands developing states.

On financing our message is that we are prepared to take our "fair share". However, we must also ensure that others take their "fair share" and that both private and public flows of resources are mobilised. Clearly, in the months to come, we will increase our pressure and intensify our dialogue with the main actors, in order to press for action that will help us achieve an ambitious and comprehensive global agreement.

Sadly, in the run up to Copenhagen some people argue that the financial crisis is an obstacle to environmental achievements. I fundamentally reject this view!

First: climate and the environment will not wait for Wall Street!

Second: The Stern report clearly established, once and for all: it's impossible to develop our economies without firm action on climate and environment. A low carbon economy is the only way towards growth.

The main task ahead of us is greater and more promising than to just do the mathematic in Copenhagen. The economic crisis opens a door for rapid transformation of our economy. We must not be tempted to conserve non-competitive jobs or businesses by falling into old fashion industrial policies or increased protectionism. Instead: the economic crises gives us a golden opportunity to create long term conditions for an eco-efficient economy. It will create new products, new and growing enterprises and markets, more jobs.

This is the core value of the Swedish Presidency: Environment will be the driving force for development. The way out of the financial crisis will be environmentally driven economic growth.

In a deeper sense, this is also about a Europe at a crossroad where we have to make a fundamental choice. Either we develop a Europe more inward looking, a Europe that retires to its own problems. Or we develop an open and outward looking Europe, a Europe that grasps opportunity and trustfully believes in the greatness of the European idea, which is the experience that we become stronger the more we act together - together in Europe and together with the world around us.

This challenge demands for a broad alliance across traditional lines of interests. The mobilization of the entire civil society is greatly needed.

I know the tremendous important role the environmental organizations played in pushing the agenda for environment forward both in each country in Europe and in the EU. NGOs and environmental organizations will be of utmost importance in the change to come.

But it is also: important to mobilize the business community together with social movements. Broad international cooperation and trade can be developed to deal with environmental challenges, with open societies as the drivers.

I turn to you all and say: The Swedish Presidency welcome to work with you all and hope that we in the end of this year can look back and say: Together we achieved the important step forward to save the climate!