180 likes | 201 Views
Explore the conditions for action regarding post-2012 climate policy for the EU from a business perspective. Topics include energy options, challenges, and the role of businesses in reshaping our energy future. Find out about key features for a global framework and the contributions of the WBCSD to this important discussion.
E N D
Framework conditions for action: A Business perspective European Commission stakeholder conference: Post - 2012 climate policy for the EU, Brussels, 22 November 2004 Laurent Corbier Program Director, Energy and Climate
Talking points • The WBCSD • Context , trends, and challenges • Energy options • Business perspective: conditions for action
WBCSD www.wbcsd.org • 175 leading international companies • 35 countries • 20 major industrial sectors • Total turnover (2003) 4’400 BUSD • Employees 12 M • Customers each day 2.5 B • Regional Network • 48 national/regional BCSDs and partner organizations • representing 1200 local members, mainly in developing countries
Membership by geographical distribution Europe - EU EU 66 North America (incl. Mexico) EU, NA and Japan: 80% Regional Network: a counterbalance Asia (Japan & Korea) Europe - Other Japan 21 Latin America North America 51 Central & Eastern Europe Oceania Asia Africa & Middle East
Overall context Rising population Development and poverty alleviation Energy supply and consumption Global warming How do those themes interact? Millenium Development Goals (2000) WEHAB, (2002)
to set the scene… Facts and Trends to 2050 Energy and climate change
Facts and Trends to 2050: what do we learn? Four key messages… • Growth, development and energy demand: • the magnitude of the challenges ahead, • Energy use and climate impacts: • the growing concentration of GHGs and the risks for our societies, • The dynamics of technological change: • it cannot happen overnight, so we must act now, • Options for re-shaping our energy future: • a necessary combination of solutions, including behavioral changes…
Energy options : reshaping our energy future • New energy systems are necessary, and so are transitional steps… • The rapidly growing energy demand and the variety of needs, require to keep all energy options open. • Inertia will prevail: practical timelines linked to practical objectives are key, • In that context, three major phases: • Energy efficiency and energy conservation • CO2 capture and geological sequestration • New and advanced technologies
Energy options (cont’d) In addition to energy efficiency and conservation • extensive decarbonization of current fossil sources, • improved penetration of new renewables, which currently only represent a few percents of the total mix • increased use of biofuels, and deployment of hybrid vehicles • utilise full potential brought by hydroelectricity and nuclear generation
Energy options (cont’d) Key factors of success and rapid transition • R&D, • innovation • technology diffusion • increased international cooperation.
Consequences for a global stategy • Immediate action • Global action • Shared objectives and efforts
Business has an important role to play Business’ contribution is key to build new energy systems that respond to the « 4A » principle: Accessible, Affordable, with Acceptable impacts and Adequate returns. Such contribution will be particularly focused on: • getting a shared understanding of the facts, and of the resulting challenges facing us; • bringing realism and pragmatism into the debate around solutions; • proposing acceptable and cost effective solutions, through innovation and increased energy efficiency; • participating to the design and implementaion of workable framework conditions.
The business agenda What does business need to operate and deliver? • Markets • Some degree of visibility / predictability • Cost-effective frameworks • A level playing field And a consultation and cooperation process
Increased Awareness Some early and concrete actions KP: first attempt for a global scheme Local or regional initiatives Emerging carbon market EU-ETS: showing leadership No global involvement Countries Private sector A Fragmented world Complex mechanisms High transaction costs Slow action Current framework conditions Achievements and weaknesses
What do we need to move forward? • A long term action • Long term framework • A global action • An inclusive approach • An effective response to the challenge • Practical and efficient mechanisms and tools • A cost effective action • Minimized bureaucracy and costs
Key features for a global framework • Short term priority:energy efficiency and conservation, • Long term objectives: realistic and quantifiable, • Global framework and decentralized and focused implementation, • Global participation: all emitters; innovative schemes, • Mechanisms: workable, cost effective, market-based, • Technology development and deployment: resources and new type of collaboration.
WBCSD’s contribution WBCSD, through the involvement of its member companies, has designed its work programs - such as the Energy and Climate program - to develop the Business contribution. It also promotes and facilitates wide-reaching consultationsand dialogues around the identified challenges and related tools and options.