Tal
Sheraton hotell, Stockholm 14 september 2009
Andreas Carlgren, Miljöminister

Tal på engelska av miljöminister Andreas Carlgren: European Cities and the Global Climate Challenge

Mr moderator, honoured conference participants, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, let me welcome you to Sweden, Stockholm and to this conference.

It is a very important event of the Swedish EU-presidency. The conference theme addresses some of the most pressing issues we stand before: How can cities and sustainable urban development be a part of tackling the climate change and other environmental problems? How can it at the same time contribute to securing employment, growth, welfare and social security? And how can Europe do this, not only by itself, but in cooperation with the rest of the world?

These issues are at the top of the agenda of the Swedish EU-presidency.

We all know that the world is urbanising fast. Already, more than half of the world's population lives in cities. In Europe, it is close to eighty percent. In Africa and Asia cities are experiencing incredible growth rates. This means that a large and increasing share of energy is used in cities: for construction, industry, transport and heating. Global urbanisation causes enormous impacts on natural resources and on the environment. The social challenges of growing cities are fundamental.

At the same time, the climate challenge calls for immediate action. It is paramount to reach an ambitious and comprehensive global agreement on the climate in Copenhagen in December. An agreement that includes all nations, enables us to stay below 2 degrees of global warming and that unleashes the forces for sustainable development.

The main challenge: meet the demands of growing cities, combining it with sustainable economic development and a dramatic cut in our emissions of greenhouse gases. The task is challenging, given that estimates show the global economy will grow 4 times to 2050. But Sweden has shown it is possible, Since 1990 the Swedish emissions have decreased with 9% and our economy have grown with 48%.

Cities is part of the solution. Intelligent urban planning and smart transportation systems can provide energy efficient communications. Biofuelled district heating can decrease greenhouse gas emissions substantially. Increased energy efficiency in the housing sector is one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce energy demand. Passive, or plus-energy houses can reduce demand even further.

Making urban development sustainable also has the potential to create green jobs and growth. The challenges of the economic downturn and climate change can, if met simultaneously, offer substantial business opportunities. New markets and employment opportunities can be achieved, creating a forceful engine for growth and competitiveness. To achieve this, we need a transition to an eco-efficient economy. This means creating more wealth while using less natural resources and causing less negative impact on the environment.

I discussed these issues with my fellow environment and energy ministers earlier this summer, at the ministerial meetings in Åre. There was widespread agreement on the need to support the shift to an open, competitive and eco-efficient economy. Urban renewable energy solutions, environmental technology and spatial planning were highlighted as some of the sectors with considerable potential.

Going beyond Europe, the potential for cooperation, partnerships and trade in green technology and urban sustainable solutions is enormous. In fact, the transfer of knowledge and technical solutions for sustainable urban development can be an important part of a global climate agreement.

To stimulate this development, many different sectors of society must be engaged. Industry must be participate in the change in our ways of building and living. A large share of the capital that is to be invested must come from the private sector, state budgets alone are far from sufficient.

I am pleased that so many different actors are present at this meeting: not only EU-member states, the Commission and other EU-institutions, but also other European countries, the business sector, the United Nations, professional and other international organisations and, of course, the perhaps most important actors, cities themselves.

This conference follows in the footsteps of the important work on sustainable development of European cities done by previous EU-presidencies. I hope Spain and Belgium will pick up the torch from this event.

Lastly, I must confess that I am particularly proud to receive you here in Stockholm - my home town, and also a town that has made remarkable efforts towards sustainability. I would also, in beforehand, like to thank the City of Stockholm for hosting tonight´s dinner in Stockholm City Hall, the work of architect Ragnar Östberg, and a spectacular sight in itself.

With this, thank you, and good luck with the conference. I look forward to the outcome of the discussions. We will make sure that your message is heard in Copenhagen in December.