Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen at the Delhi Summit for Sustainable Development
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Your Excellencies,
Honourable Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by saying how delightful it is to be back at the Delhi Summit for Sustainable Development which has become a paramount meeting place for discussion on climate change.
We have passed a landmark in the climate negotiations. The Copenhagen Accord is a clear step forward in global cooperation on climate change. It is, however, not enough. We need to continue our work together to make sure we can reach the two-degree target. We have to be able to stabilise the global emissions of greenhouse gases by around 2020 and we still have to agree to reduce the emissions by up to 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.
There are several good elements in the Copenhagen Accord, such as significant pledges for short term finance, global recognition of the two-degree target and commitments to measure, report and verify emission reductions.
It is also a major step forward that for the first time all major economies have agreed upon mitigation actions. The coverage of global emissions in the Accord is therefore far better than under the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. By the end of January 2010, 57 countries, 37 industrialised (Annex 1) countries and 20 developed (non Annex 1) countries have associated themselves to the Copenhagen Accord. For the first time, the world will see strong mitigation commitments by countries representing 80% of global emissions.
The European Union and its 27 member states reconfirmed their commitment to an independent quantified economy-wide emissions reduction target of 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. The EU also maintains its commitment to move to a 30% reduction in emissions if others are also ambitious.
Climate change affects each and every country on our globe. It is our urgent task now to ensure even broader support to the Accord. I therefore urge all countries that agreed to the Accord in Copenhagen to inscribe into it their commitments. This is our common interest.
At the same time, we must focus on steps ahead, looking at concrete elements in the Accord that can be implemented now. We also need to strengthen the trust of all countries in the international climate process, and at the same time make the process as effective and efficient as possible.
Finland is committed to the goal of reaching an ambitious new climate regime. The European Union is looking forward to closer cooperation with India and other partners before COP-16. It is vital to maintain a constructive ambiance and momentum throughout the forthcoming negotiations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Climate change has already influenced our lives profoundly, and will continue to do so, whether we live in the north or south, east or west. In Europe, we are acutely aware that we have to adjust our way of life, our consumption and production patterns, to match a new kind of low-carbon reality.
The industrialised countries must show solidarity towards the developing countries. But I also want to stress that all major economies, including the economically advanced developing countries, must give a constructive contribution in the global effort to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change is the warning that we needed to reach the next step in developing our societies towards a low-carbon future. The next industrial revolution will be a green revolution. I believe that the majority of global consumers will become more and more environmentally aware. This drives the market forces to provide an adequate response.
I am confident that we will be able to promote technology transfer, to utilise energy more efficiently and to move over to clean forms of technology. If there is a will, there is always a way. Industrialised countries must continue to take steps to promote access to environmentally sound technologies in all countries. We have to show solidarity towards developing countries that address climate change and, at the same time, strive to achieve other development goals such as poverty eradication.
In our efforts to save our planet we have to harness our creativity and force of innovation. The role of universities as well as research and development centres will be central. We need businesses that can think outside the box. The innovative companies and actors will be able to pick the fruits. I would like to call on new platforms of cooperation between developed and developing countries in finding new solutions to both mitigation and adaptation.
Finland has some world class technologies which can help India and other nations to develop their economy in a climate-friendly way. Investments in energy and material-efficient production technology will be economically beneficial in the long run. Investing in know-how and new technology e.g. in forestry and energy efficiency can open up enormous possibilities all over the world, and especially in the developing countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to highlight that the financial downturn we have experienced cannot diminish our resolve to fight climate change. On the contrary, we must find ways to harness economic growth and well-being by promoting low-carbon economies and creating new jobs in this area.
In the aftermath of the storm, the sun will surely shine. Globalisation will continue. There will be ever more competition in the form of lower costs and increased use of high technology, but also more cooperation in production and more customers. The competitive edge will increasingly determine where machines will operate. In order to succeed, we must focus on our competitive advantages. Here, again, knowledge and skill are the instruments that we must use wisely.
We must understand the essential reasons why we must act now to meet the very real challenges of climate change. In doing so, we must not become distracted by the many issues, such as the cost of protecting the environment or providing for renewable energy. These are understandable concerns, but continuing on the current path and fixing the damages caused by climate change would result in even higher costs in the future.
Beyond the daily challenges of business, economic developers need to have innovation, technology and competitiveness as a beacon. We need a greater understanding of how green technology and innovation will serve as the engine of economic growth while simultaneously curbing global warming.
Green technology involves information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and energy technology. Pursuing innovations in these sectors will improve international competitiveness and increase trade in related sectors such as construction, power generation and communications.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As to financing, the outcome of Copenhagen was satisfying, but it is important to turn it into more concrete decisions in a timely manner. Especially the implementation of the fast-track financing commitment needs immediate action. This should be done in a manner that honours the basic development cooperation principles. As part of the European Union, Finland is committed to contribute 110 million Euros of so-called fast-start funding during the next three years.
At the same time, we must ensure that financing for combating poverty and climate change will be available for developing countries, and that these funds are used efficiently. It is important to assure that developing countries have enough capacity and resources to step up their adaptation actions as well as moving their economies towards a low-carbon development path already before 2012.
The Copenhagen Accord recognises that we must support the most vulnerable developing countries' capacity to adapt to climate change. Sea levels are rising, extreme weather conditions are getting more frequent, and desertification is threatening large areas of our globe. Famine as well as severe health and social problems may follow as negative effects of climate change.
There is mounting evidence that poverty, especially in rural areas, can be reduced only by the sustainable management of natural resources. Poverty reduction in a sustainable way will contribute to both mitigation and adaptation objectives.
Adaptation to climate change and sustainable development issues cannot be separated. We must reduce the vulnerability and enhance the resilience. The least developed and most vulnerable countries should be strongly supported to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. Especially, we need to take into account the urgent and immediate adaptation needs, outlined in national adaptation programmes of action and other relevant documents.
Integrating adaptation into national sustainable development policies and strategies is a key priority. We must ensure that sufficient attention is paid to adaptation at all levels. Understanding of climate related issues should be mainstreamed to all branches of government, private sector and civil society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mitigating climate change is a now a globally agreed political goal, and adaptation to its negative consequences is a challenge that we have to face in every corner of our globe. Climate change has to be mainstreamed in all our efforts to further sustainable development. We are getting prepared for a change of paradigm which grows from the fact that we cannot spend the resources of our earth more that it is able to reproduce.
When thinking of sustainable development we have to pay special attention to the lungs of our earth, the forests. Forests play a key role in the fight against climate change. We must preserve this invaluable resource, and bring an end to the destruction of forests. Emissions resulting from deforestation in developing countries need to be stopped and then reversed. Deforestation in developing countries generates 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than all forms of transport combined. Biodiversity conservation and the livelihood of indigenous people are important benefits that we will have to keep in mind.
In order to improve the situation, we need to raise awareness of sustainable development and climate change. We need to get more people on board to make a clear change. Education will be a pivotal driver for addressing the climate change challenge.
The Delhi Summit for Sustainable Development is a living example of the strong common will to act on climate issues. It is a privilege and a responsibility to participate in this important process. There are positive signs of attitudes changing towards a more ecological way of thinking. Our dialogue here in Delhi is an important opportunity to strengthen this trend for the benefit of us all.