Addressing the Climate Threat Sofia Workshop Pres 1

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

The Climate ThreatThe Climate Threatandand

Co-operative Social ResponsibilityCo-operative Social Responsibility

Bob Burlton

Principal, ACT – Addressing the Climate ThreatChair, Co-operative Financial Services. UK

www.bobburlton.coop

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Climate Threatnot

Climate Change

Why ?

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Key outcomes from March 2009 Key outcomes from March 2009 International Scientific ConferenceInternational Scientific Conference

1. Climatic TrendsRecent observations confirm that the worst-case IPCC forecasts are being realised….There is a significant risk that many of the trends will accelerate, leading to

an increasing risk of abrupt or irreversible climatic shift.

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Key outcomes from March 2009 Key outcomes from March 2009 International Scientific ConferenceInternational Scientific Conference

2. Social disruptionRecent observations show that societies are highly vulnerable to even modest levels of climate change, with poor nations and communities particularly at risk.

Why? ------- because !!!!

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

3. Long-term strategy

Rapid, sustained and effective mitigation based on co-ordinated global and regional action is required to avoid “dangerous climate change”…. Delay in initiating effective mitigation increases significantly the long-term social and economic costs

Key outcomes from March 2009 Key outcomes from March 2009 International Scientific ConferenceInternational Scientific Conference

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

4. Equity

Climate change is having, and will have, strongly differential effects on people within and between countries and regions, and on this generation and future generations.

Key outcomes from March 2009 Key outcomes from March 2009 International Scientific ConferenceInternational Scientific Conference

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

5. Inaction is inexcusable There is no excuse for inaction! We already have many tools and approaches… to deal effectively with the climate change challenge, but they must be vigorously and widely implemented.

Key outcomes from March 2009 Key outcomes from March 2009 International Scientific ConferenceInternational Scientific Conference

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

6. Meeting the challenge To meet the societal transformation required… we must overcome a number of constraints and seize critical opportunities…These include.. Building on a growing public desire for governments to act on climate change, reducing the influence of vested interests that increase emissions.. and engaging society in the transition to norms and practices that foster sustainability.

Key outcomes from March 2009 Key outcomes from March 2009 International Scientific ConferenceInternational Scientific Conference

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Where do greenhouse gas emissions Where do greenhouse gas emissions come from?come from?

80% of all emissions are related to energy (production and consumption)

Which countries emit most greenhouse gases in Which countries emit most greenhouse gases in Europe ?Europe ?

2006 emissions in four EU-15 were 2006 emissions in four EU-15 were already below Kyoto targetsalready below Kyoto targets

Kyoto targetif carbon sinks and

carbon credits are included

Kyoto target Kyoto target, even ifcarbon sinks and

carbon credits are included

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Sustainable livingLiving which meets the needs of the presentwithout affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Fair ?

What (economic) climate are we in ?

Economic ! Climatic !

The crises we face

What (economic) climate are we in ?

Economic ! Climatic !

The crises we face – have common roots

Living beyond our resources –Greed, short-termism and a lack of social responsibility

Meet Flynn ------ 12 april 08

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

So, what aboutthe co-operative values of

equity and social responsibility ?

Are they just words, or Are they just words, or are they values that we do live by?are they values that we do live by?

3 things coops can do

Measure & reduce own CO2

Inform & motivate our members

Lobby and campaign

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Emissions reductions costs (£/tCO2)

Act ! - Addressing the climate threat

Please note:-

It is not only giving and cost from our co-operatives

There are benefits and opportunities

As my colleague, Richard will explain

Thank you

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat

Reminder of 6th principle

6th Principle:- Co-operation among co-operatives

Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movementby working together throughlocal, national, regional and international structures

ACT- Addressing the Climate Threat