How can business and the investment community be effective partners in the EU sustainable...
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European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Partnership with the European strategy for sustainable development
TBLI- Paris – November 2006
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
European policy for sustainable development
Policies that need to be consistently implemented across all 25 Member-States of the European Union, are proposed by the European Commission and decided by Member State Governments in the European Council
The achievement of sustainable development is a Treaty obligation of all Member States: The president of the Council must seek a consensus on a common strategy
A first strategy was agreed in 2001. It has been reviewed by the Commission in 2004-5, and a renewed strategy was adopted by Heads of State in June 2006
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
7 key challenges
Climate change and clean energy; Sustainable transport; Sustainable production and consumption; Conservation and management of natural
resources; Public health; Social inclusion, demography and migration Global poverty and sustainable development
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Key changes in the renewed strategy:2001-2006
A stronger focus on research, technology and innovation for all goals;
A stronger partnership with business, notably with the leaders of technological, economic and social innovation; “Business leaders and other stakeholders…. Should engage in urgent reflection with political leaders on the medium- and long-term policies needed for sustainable development, and propose ambitious business responses which go beyond existing minimum legal requirements”: A proposal to foster this process will be made by the Commission in 2007
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Greenhouse gases Atmospheric CO2 concentration has risen by over 30 % since
pre-industrial era to 380 ppm
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Pattern of probable average temperature changes, 2080s relative to present day
Lähde: Hadley Centre
Climate Change is the top priority…
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
The new realityThe bad news: New research suggests increased GHG
concentrations will cause earlier and more damaging climate change: Urgent shift to a low-carbon economy with less dependence on fossil fuels
The good news: Emerging technologies for greater energy-efficiency
and low-carbon renewable energies offer the potential for a rapid transition to an efficient, diverse and de-centralised energy system.
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Specific EU actions Financial incentives to cut carbon emissions in the
most cost-effective way: EU Emissions Trading System An Environmental Technology Action plan to co-
ordinate research and accelerate market introductions An Action Plan to improve energy efficiency by about
2.5% p.a to realise energy savings of 20% by 2020; Actions to cut transport intensity (vehicle-kms per
GDP) with better logistics and infrastructure charging; “Green” public procurement by 2010
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Energy-use projections for Europe:Targeted growth in renewables and 2.5% improvement in energy efficiency per year
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1990 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020Year
MTOE Total energy use
Total renewable energy
Total fossil fuels
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Carbon emissions can be cut significantly by 2020 without compromising economic growth
Carbon emission projections
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1990 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020Year
MT Carbon relative to 1990
Business as usual - 1% p.a better energyefficiency
2.5% p.a. better energy efficiency
3.5% p.a. better energy efficiency
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Recent Trends in U.S. Energy Intensity
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1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000
Megajoules/$GDP
1973-1986 Average Rateof Decline ~ 2.6% per Year
1986-1996 Average Rateof Decline ~ 0.8% per Year
1996-2000 Average Rateof Decline ~ 2.7% per Year
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
The network structure of the Internet
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
How can innovations based on information and communications technologies help?
Higher-skill jobs for more of the working-age population
More added-value in more resource-efficient products: some products become immaterial services;
More efficient supply-chains, intelligent and cleaner vehicles and new forms of mobility;
More efficient heating/cooling and lighting in intelligent buildings and more efficient use of buildings;
“Spin-off” technologies for solar energy and lighting
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
A holistic approach to resource productivity
“Pay-per-use”: Product rental, “take-back” and recycling – WEEE targets - 65% recycling and 75% recovery by end 2006
Increased efficiencies for use of energy, space/land, and travel/transport in knowledge work;
Attention to external and internal impacts: Supply-chain; marketing/retail, and employee commuting;
European Commission: DG Information Society and media
Strengthening frameworks for“Triple-bottom-line” reporting
“Profit/loss”,
Human resources
“Environment, Health and Safety”
Profit, productivity and Investments in RTD
Human capital - qualifications, retention and training; health, safety and creativity;
Resource productivity : Transport, land and energy.