Article originally published in Project #Colabora.
From an early age, at school, we learn about our mighty rivers, our unique biodiversity, the Amazon as the lungs of the world, our underground aquifers and, more recently, how our abundance of sun and wind can also be sources of energy. It was no coincidence that, in 1992, Brazil hosted ECO 92, a UN Conference that produced fruits such as Agenda 21 and favored the creation of institutions such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and, consequently, its Brazilian arm, CEBDS (Brazilian Council for Sustainable Development). These were already signs of the productive sector dialoguing with the environmental movement and governments, at all levels.
More than 10 years have passed since the film “An Inconvenient Truth” won the Oscar for best documentary, significantly increasing not only the general public's knowledge of the subject, but also a clearer perception of the scale of the problem that we all face. 2018 was the fourth hottest year in history, and scientific research on the dangers of climate change is becoming more convincing every day. That said, we see that the inexorable transition to the new low-carbon economy is already a reality for many companies, despite the political discussions that still exist, raising doubts about this irreversible path.
While we arrived at the door of COP24, the Climate Conference, which took place in the first two weeks of December, in Katowice, Poland, regretting Brazil's withdrawal from hosting the next conference in 2019, we were able to learn about the edifying experiences of our associates, debate in depth the articles of the Paris Agreement and expand our understanding of the immense complexity of sustainability in our days.
We are no longer just talking about carbon emissions, circular economy or deforestation. We are talking about these and much more. We are talking about jobs, reputation, business, diversity. And all at the same time. Our companies have taken a leading role in the transformations that our main economic systems are undergoing. In Poland, we contrast the experiences reported by the business sector and the certainty that by working together – business, government and society – our common interests can come together for systematic, transformative and powerful change, with the realization that there is much to be done to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement.
We saw in 2018 that the Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Global Warming of 1.5°C, signals that the so-called transition to a low-carbon economy will need to be expanded exponentially, in addition to being accelerated. The report is the most important scientific text on climate change, which guides governments' decision-making in improving their national climate commitments in relation to the Paris Agreement and is approved by 195 governments, including Brazil.
The report highlights how ambitious climate action can bring many benefits to the economy – more jobs, increased access to energy, sustainable transport and improved health, to name a few. Analysis from the New Climate Economy, for example, shows that ambitious climate action could generate US$1.4 trillion in economic benefits by 2030, creating more than 65 million jobs and preventing 700,000 premature deaths from air pollution.
And it is precisely from this perspective and recognizing this moment, that we must see the natural capital that distinguishes us so much from the rest of the world, as a factor that can make Brazil, in fact, a global leader in sustainable business.
At the 2018 COP, the main goal was to finalize the rules that will govern the Paris Agreement, which will come into force in 2020. The rules were made in contentious meetings, but the new agreement is stronger than many negotiators expected. With nine rules for establishing and monitoring national emissions reduction plans, the new agreement includes guidelines related to new financial targets to help developing countries reduce their emissions from 2025.
For our part, we continue to work to ensure transparency and consistency in the use of markets under these instruments and mechanisms that allow the transfer of emissions reductions, with the new economy being financed by the old economy.
In a controversial year like 2018, we avoided activism and polarization. Our CEBDS Agenda for a Sustainable Country, developed during meetings of our Leaders Council, formed by the country's top business leaders and presented to the presidential candidates, will be an essential tool to guide us in our dialogues with executive, legislative and regulatory authorities in 2019. We will use the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a compass, and our businesses as drivers to promote the necessary changes that can enable the implementation of the ten proposals that make up this agenda. We can make a difference by working to expand dialogues.
There is still much to be done. And the time is now. It is time to not only roll up our sleeves, but to actually make the change we want and can make happen. Together. Supported by our synergies and our differences. Starting a new year focused on opening up dialogue, on transparency in actions, and on valuing the national wealth that the new economy provides.
