‘We have to stop talking and start walking.’ – with this provocative beginning, Jan Peter Balkenende, former prime minister of the Netherlands, delivered his successful speech about climate change at BCSDH’s business lunch organised for business leaders. During this event, BCSDH’s unique, four-point recommendations for the business sector were announced to help accelerate the shift towards a low-carbon economy, representing a milestone in Hungarian sustainability.

BCSDH Üzleti ebéd 2016.11.17.

The Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH) held its annual business lunch, simultaneously with the COP 22 Climate Change Conference in Marrakech. Recommendations were announced at this event, representing a milestone in sustainability initiatives for the Hungarian economy. As guest speaker, Professor Jan Peter Balkenende, former prime mister of the Netherlands, gave a successful speech about the role of businesses in mitigating climate change. BCSDH, which represents a community of 75 member companies that contribute 30% of Hungary’s GDP, invited the professor-politician to the event within the framework of the Action 2020 program in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On behalf of GE, the host organisation of this event, President Joerg Bauer welcomed the 150 guests. Gajus Scheltema, Ambassador to Hungary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands then gave a welcome speech, followed by Jan Peter Balkenende, who spoke about the need for immediate action on climate change, and how the business sector should play a major role in this.

“Businesses and institutions are not only responsible for their own profits and well-being, but they also have a responsibility towards people and to create a better life for the next generation” – said Jan Peter Balkenende, adding that, besides other sustainability issues, climate change also makes long-term thinking indispensable for companies. “The longer you wait to implement measures, the tougher it will be in the future. So we cannot wait, and we need to do it together!”

Irén Márta, managing director of BCSDH, stated that one company alone cannot change the world, so there is a need for new alliances and cooperation within value chains. BCSDH, the national partner organization of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), represents one such corporate alliance. WBCSD has just announced its business recommendations for introducing carbon pricing at the COP 22 Climate Change Conference. At the same time, its national partner organisation also put forward recommendations for the business sector to support the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The four points in the recommendation identify the ways in which Hungarian companies can effectively contribute to global processes. The entire business sector and any company can now take measurable steps forward.

BCSDH’s recommendations for Business on Climate Change:

1. Analyse the local risks and opportunities associated with climate change, and create related action plans
2. Introduce carbon footprint measurement, analyse results and conduct action planning on an ongoing basis with regard to effectively decreasing carbon emissions
3. Identify and create action plans for energy use and/or CO2 emissions related to the processes of consumption and the use of products and services by shaping the attitudes and behaviour of consumers and customers
4. Raise awareness among employees

“It is very important for us at BCSDH to cooperate with those business leaders that are familiar with sustainability and who are aware of the importance of climate protection. Through the Action 2020 program we have worked with more than 150 experts over the past years who represent the business, civil and scientific sectors, and this collaboration has resulted in the recommendations announced today. It’s my conviction that, in the long run, you can only survive as an economic player if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you are innovative and you are sustainable. However, if these components are harmonized, you can obtain a significant competitive advantage.” – said Attila Chikán Jr., President of BCSDH.

One of the tools for achieving this goal is the BCSDH’s Action 2020 Hungary program which explores and inspires business solutions that go beyond ‘business as usual’, and which, as good practices, can be disseminated to a broader range of business actors. More than 50 companies have already joined the program.

In 2016, Climate Change is the main focal area of the Action 2020 Hungary program. With the involvement of CEOs, more than 50 civil, scientific and business experts formulated their recommendations on climate change. They have identified business solutions for both the business sector and the stakeholders who are affected, the promotion and implementation of which will positively impact climate change.

The main sponsors of this program in 2016: Siemens and Tesco, highlighted sponsors: Alteo Group, Generali, Hungrana, McDonald’s, Nestlé, Unilever

Photos of the event you can find here.

Mr. Balkenende’s presentation can be reached here.

The aim of SUSCO Budapest 2016 – Water and the City, the continuation of AJKC’s conference series on sustainable development, is to establish a regional multi-stakeholder forum and network on sustainable development from a Central and Eastern European perspective which provides the opportunity to discuss the challenges and best practices in the region, exchange experiences, and seek common solutions. SUSCO Budapest fosters dialogue between the governmental, private, and scientific sectors, as well as the civil society of the region.

This year’s conference is focusing on sustainable urban water management, reflecting upon the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. The SDGs among others set milestones and calls for action in relation to water management in cities via ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (SDG 6), as well as making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11).

Urban areas currently give home to approximately 50% of the global population, projected to reach over 60% by 2050. In this period, water demand will increase globally by 55% and around 4 billion people will live in water-stressed areas. This means that fierce competition is unavoidable among different water users – particularly agriculture, energy, and urban dwellers. If current tendencies are not changed, water security will be increasingly jeopardised.

Due to rapid urbanisation, water scarcity and poor water quality in heavily overcrowded cities, as well as the lack of extensive and sustainable urban water management systems are problems affecting not only the poorest but the developed countries of the world. Cities are facing significant challenges such as mitigating water risk and securing financially sustainable water and sanitation services to urban population. A concerted effort is required in putting water supply and sanitation policies in the wider context of institutional arrangements and water resources management. We must think carefully about how to manage urban water costs effectively and learn from the experience of others in addressing the demand and supply sides of the urban water management challenge. SUSCO Budapest 2016 therefore intends to bring together key stakeholders, facilitate the outlining of proper strategies conforming to national and regional circumstances, and put the theory of sustainable urban water management into practice.

Date: 9.15am, 16 November 2016

Venue: Akvárium Klub, Budapest

Resgistration: https://goo.gl/forms/4u3XpGoJVdA2xA2s2 (till 13 November 2016)

Draft Programme:

8.30am – 9.15am Registration

9.15am – 9.30am Opening Remarks

• Péter Antall, Director of Antall József Knowledge Centre
• Frank Spengler, Resident Representative, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

9.30am – 9.40am Keynote Speech

• Dr Gábor Náray-Szabó, Academic, Co-president of the National Council for Sustainable Development

9.40am – 10.40am Panel I—Water and Urbanisation

• Faraj El-Awar, Programme Manager, Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance/UN-Habitat
• Oriana Romano, Policy Analyst / Lead Author of Water Governance in Cities report, OECD Water Governance Programme
• Martina Zupan, Regional Chair, Global Water Partnership CEE

Moderator: János Zlinszky, Director of the Sustainable Development Academy, The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC)

10.40am – 11.00am Coffee Break

11.00am – 12.15pm Panel II — Water in the City of Tomorrow

• Tom Vereijken, Director, European Water Stewardship & Petra Eszter Katona, Researcher, KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Urban Water Agenda 2030 – The Leeuwarden Process
• Dr Štefan Stanko, Vice-rector for Education, Head of Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava Urban Water Management and Planning in BRATISLAVA
• Asier Abaunza, Councillor for Urban Planning at Bilbao City hall Urban Water Management and Planning in BILBAO
• Szabolcs Sidó, Head of Unit, City Management Department, Municipality of Budapest, Urban Water Management and Planning in BUDAPEST
• Moderator: Gábor Ungvári, Senior Research Associate at the Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research (REKK)

12.15pm – 1.30pm Lunch Break

1.30pm – 2.30pm Panel III — Innovative and Smart Urban Water Solutions

• Péter Kereszturi, Representative of Budapest Sewage Works Ltd.
• Dr. Zsolt Edgár Rasztovits, Treatment Growth Center Manager, EEE at Xylem Inc.
• Richard Elelman, Head of Public Administrations of Eurecat-CTM
• János Prikk, S&D Energy and Utility Sector Sales Leader at IBM

Moderator: Károly Kovács, President, European Water Association, Hungarian Water Cluster, EIP Water Steering Group

2.30pm – 2.45pm Key Outcomes / Closing Remarks

• Dr Gábor Baranyai, Ministerial Commissioner for the Sustainable Management of Transboundary Natural Resources, Ministry of Justice

3.00pm – 5.20pm Side Event: SUSCO YOUTH Forum

The Knowledge Centre reserves the right to change the programme.

India, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, has ratified the Paris global climate agreement.

Under the deal, India has committed to ensuring that at least 40% of its electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources by 2030.

CO2 emissions are believed to be the driving force behind climate change.

Last December in Paris, countries agreed to cut emissions in a bid to keep the global average rise in temperatures below 2C.

The Paris deal is the world’s first comprehensive climate agreement.

It will only come into force legally after it is ratified by at least 55 countries which between them produce at least 55% of global carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last month that India would ratify the agreement on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the struggle for independence from Britain.

“India has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the United Nations,” the UN said in a statement on Sunday.

The US and China – together responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions – both formally joined the Paris global climate agreement earlier this month.

India accounts for about 4.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and became the 62nd country to ratify the agreement.

The European Union is expected to do so in the near future, taking approvals past the 55% of emissions threshold.

Paris agreement: Key points

• To keep global temperature increase “well below” 2C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C
• To peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and achieve a balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century
• To review progress every five years
• $100bn a year in climate finance for developing countries by 2020, with a commitment to further finance in the future
• Once the deal comes into force, countries that have ratified it have to wait for a minimum of three years before they exit

Source: BBC News