Tal
Washington Renewable Energy Conference, WIREC 6 mars 2008
Maud Olofsson, Näringsminister, vice statsminister

Avslutningstal på engelska på WIREC

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all I would like to thank the US Government for hosting this conference.

The last three days here in Washington have been very inspiring and interesting. I think that we have all witnessed that another future is possible. A future with both welfare and climate care.

When we later today return home we bring with us visions, objectives, business cases and concrete projects. And the message from the WIREC conference is clear: Renewable Energy is the future.

Renewables are no longer an "alternative energy". They are an essential part of today's energy system and a corner stone in solving the energy and climate challenges we face.

Why we are here

Because let us not forget why we are here. Today we live under the twin threats of climate change and security of energy supply.

To a large extent these challenges are spelled population and growth. Since 1990 world population has increased by more than 1 billion people. At the same time the number of absolute poor has been reduced by 400 million.

And all around the world people are longing for a better life. Because we all share the same dream. We want food on the table, education and a bright future for our children.

Rapidly growing economies represent the majority of future energy demand growth. A growing middle class in developing economies like India and China will demand new cars and household appliances.

The reduction of poverty is something extremely positive. All people have the right to the same standard of living as we enjoy in the rich part of the world.

We are not there yet. Industrial development and the way of life in many western countries are built on the exploitation of natural resources and a heavy use of energy. This is not sustainable. We need smarter growth!

Conclusions

From this weeks discussion I bring with me not only impressions but also conclusions.

Conclusion 1: Immediate action

Firstly, the challenges we face call for immediate action. We all know that climate change is a fact. Science has swept away the last doubts as to humanity's role in causing global warming. At the same time oil prices are hitting record levels.

We need action now and at all levels at society - by governments, individuals, researchers, business and industry. We must never forget that time is not renewable.

Conclusion 2: Leadership

Secondly, Leadership and courage is essential. And now it is time for all of us who have met here in Washington to take the lead.

We are, as President Bush said yesterday, pioneers on the frontiers of change. Together we must send the signal that change is necessary, that we support change and that change will come. We must also give courage to those who are frightened of what the future holds.

But we must also take action. Action that shows that we are serious. Some of the decisions we need to make will not be easy. But nevertheless necessary. This is exactly what leadership is all about.

Conclusion 3: Long term goals

Thirdly, we must send signals to the market that the age of oil is drawing to an end. Now it is time to shift to an age of renewables.

Political goals are necessary for the market to step up investments. Not only for big companies. SME:s can also sit in the front seat. And for the first time rural areas will have the power and resources to boost the economy.

But as politicians we have the responsibility, not only to point out the direction, but also to make sure that we create policy frameworks that survive over elections. This is not always easy. It requires political leadership that provide long term solutions and conditions for investors.

Conclusion 4: Golden opportunity

It easy to paint a dark picture of the future. Tough choices to be made between continued global warming or fundamentally changing our lifestyle. This is not the way I see it.

I believe that we should look upon this challenge as a golden opportunity for our economies. Not a threat. There will be a growing market for products and services. Stable long term rules will create dynamics to further increase investments, creating new jobs and economic growth.

Conclusion 5: Research and science

We need to invest in Research and Development. We also need to form new partnerships with the research community. We must seek globally for the best knowledge and build new networks. All of us can contribute. Because it is only in conjunction with other stakeholders - researchers, science and business - that we will be able to find the best and most cost efficient solutions.

Conclusion 6 - Need for competition

I was invited to WIREC to tell you how Sweden was transformed from a poor country in the north of Europe to a leading green economy.

In my speech I mentioned the steps that we have been taking. We were among one of the first countries in the world to introduce a Co2 tax. And our taxation policy is aimed at improving energy efficiency and encouraging the use of bio fuels.

Another step has been a market based green electricity certificate.

Sweden is not the only example of a country that has taken on the challenge. During this conference we have heard other concrete examples. Not only from countries but also from corporations and states like Minnesota.

We need to learn from each other.

But no country's success story can be fully copied. All countries have their own conditions. My hope is that we have all been inspired by each other and seen that there is hope for another future. A future with both welfare and climate care. And let us not forget US assistant secretary Karsner's words the other day: Do not fear, but embrace competition.

Conclusion 7 - Need for international cooperation

At the same time, we must look at the challenges ahead from a broad international perspective. A sustainable solution to the world's energy needs is truly important for peace and security in the world.

Europe has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy. But without global objectives they may have little effect.

In 2009 Sweden will chair the Council of the European union. At the same time the world will meet in Copenhagen and hopefully sign a new global agreement on how to combat climate change.

Conclusion 8 - We can leave no countries behind

My final conclusion from the WIREC-conference is that we must leave no countries behind. New emerging technologies must be affordable in poor parts of the world. Taking care of the environment should not be a luxury only for a selected few. Environmental friendliness should be easy and profitable for everyone.

I really support the idea of an international clean technology fund, where wealthy nations can help poorer nations, as put forward by president Bush yesterday.

I am also encouraged by President Bush's support of an international climate agreement. And I agree with him that all countries need to participate. We can have no free riders. We all have to take our share of responsibility.

And we need strategies and action plans that lead to concrete results.

When business is global and technologies are global. We can not have rules and regulations that substantially differ. We need to create a level playing field. Promoting trade between countries and regions.

The call for immediate action, leadership, long term goals, the golden opportunity, the need to invest in R&D, the need for competition and international cooperation and that we can leave no countries behind; these are the conclusions that I will bring with me when I return home later today.

During this conference, many speakers have stressed that it is now time to turn the page away from problem identification - to problem solving. I could not agree more.

Many people see globalisation as a threat. But I see globalisation not only as a solution, but as the solution. The more borders vanish, the more we can share ideas and best practices.

Change is constant. The challenges that we face today will soon be history. If development continues at the present pace, I am convinced that in ten years from now, many of the solutions that we have discussed here today will either be self-evident or obsolete.

Carbon-neutral transportation systems, manufacturing based on renewables, zero-energy houses - who knows what the future will bring?

I am an optimist. We can change the story. With a clear vision, courage, hard work and leadership we can accomplish anything that we dream of.

I know that many people will have to be convinced. But as Governor Pawlenty reminded us the other day, there are three stages of transition:

1. "It would never work"
2. "It's too expensive"
and
3. "I supported it all the time."

So let us go home and show leadership!