Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Business – Science – Sustainable Development

Podium discussion with Ernst von Weizsäcker, Paola Ghillani, Dieter Imboden and
Kurt R. Spillmann: Reflections on the workshops from the day before

Ernst von Weizsäcker emphasized that global markets must obey global rules. Voluntary initiatives are not enough; national and international regulations are also needed. A CO2 tax (proposed by Federal Councillor Leuenberger, Switzerland) would work in favour of developing countries. Science has an important contribution to make. It has to identify and address major problems and help to resolve them.

Several speakers regarded information, education, science and NGOs as important factors. Basic evils must be addressed. The media can make a major contribution to the success of initiatives. An example of this was cited by Paola Ghillani with the bananas project of Max Havelaar. But Ernst von Weizsäcker regretted the trend towards infotainment. Kurt Spillmann observed that climate change has still not registered as an urgent problem. Even a global warming of 1°C has dramatic consequences. He argued the case for cooperative approaches. Dieter Imboden considered the differentiation between converts and non-converts too simplistic. There is still a long way to go for everyone, he observed, even at a conference like this; there has to be greater weight attached to young people and to their interaction with the establishment.

Jacqueline Coté, World Business Council for Sustainable De-velopment (WBCSD), Geneva

The WBCSD, with its secretariat in Geneva, provides a platform of exchange with regional networks for 190 leading multinational companies from different sectors. The Council decides on business activities in unanimity. Sustainability determines the issues surrounding globa-lization, China/India, climate and energy. The way a company deals with the challenges of sustainability has an impact on its stakeholders. Various publications demonstrate challenges and possibilities for action to the business community. What is the role of the business world, how far can it go, what can it do to spread the message? What are the business agenda and the public policy agenda (trade rules, water, infrastructure/public services, development, poverty, human rights)? In addition to research and analysis, instruments and procedures are also described: reduction of energy costs (primary, secondary, buildings), reduction of CO2 emis-sions, solar energy, consumer behaviour, the role of markets etc.. The collaboration of stakeholders is needed to clarify important questions. Are the governance systems prepared for the challenges? Is there the political will for change? Jacqueline Coté emphasized that go-vernments and the corporate world must assume a stronger leadership role. Politicians, business leaders and society need to act in concert. Research must show what technologies can be used for energy efficiency by 2050.
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Ernst von Weizsäcker, Donald Bren School for Environmental Science and
Management, UCSB Santa Barbara

Ernst von Weizsäcker believes the role of research, development and science is changing. Science, which is anchored in the business world and in society, is stronger. It is important to let the dinosaur technologies disappear. He sees opportunities for Switzerland, because it is less focused on energy-hungry industries. Using some photographic projections and examples (Hawaii, Gulf Stream, Greenland) he demonstrated the effects of global warming. He stressed the non-linearity of climate changes and concluded that “the flood can come at any time”. In the USA, half the population is (still) convinced that climate change is not an issue. Ninety-nine percent of scientists have acknowledged the problem. There is an information problem. Science, politics, NGOs and the media need to create a new awareness. Science also has to focus on the development of practical, useful products.

Science has to get together with the business world to find solutions to challenges. Industry often only addresses a problem when it already has a product it can use to do business. The CFC problem (refrigerators) was not seriously addressed until DuPont had developed an alternative. The same was seen in the case of penicillin resistance. Some problems that need to be addressed include lamps, transport systems in the manufacture and distribution of food, intensive farming, scattered settlements/dense settlements. He expressed some dismay that there has not yet been a Nobel Prize for ecology. However, the Finnish government does award a “Millennium Ecology Prize”.
This speech in PDF format 
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Borge Brende,
Norwegian Member of Parliament / Chairman CSD-12, Oslo

Two billion people live (and work) without electricity. Without energy there can be no develop-ment. Climate change also has an impact on the least developed countries. It not only affects the environment, but also inflicts social and economic damage, for example in the health sector, in food production and, in particular, in the fishing industry. In 2030, energy demand in the developing countries will outstrip that in the west. In the next twenty years, energy consump-tion will increase by 60 percent. The aim must be to meet the increased energy demand in a sustainable way that does not harm the environment. For this, innovations and major invest-ments are needed. Doing nothing is the more costly option. There is still a lack of incentive, funding, transparency and competition.

We need to get away from coal and its subsidization by the EU. Various regions in China, for example, have reduced CO2 emissions by using natural gas instead of coal. Nuclear energy will continue to play a role and natural gas an increasing role, while biomass has to provide the necessary energy for road transport. Ways must be found to produce less CO2 with increased energy consumption. The oil exporter Norway meets 99 percent of its own energy demand through renewables. A “revolution” and investments in renewables are essential. Non-sustainable behaviour patterns need to be changed. Following the Johannesburg Summit, collaboration between the private and public sectors needs to be intensified. A stronger multilateral system must be in place to support the measures of the Kyoto protocol.
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Conclusion, Klaus Hug, President Academia Engelberg

In his concluding speech, Klaus Hug emphasized the need for individual commitment to a sus-tainable change. There are examples and hope, as currently shown in with the film “An Incon-venient Truth” by Al Gore and initiatives of the Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger. But one cannot depend on the political establishment. It has to be acknowledge that we all have to contribute something ourselves.
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