By Marina Grossi

Uncertainties, contradictions, findings, construction, changes. A combination of these words would be a very appropriate way to define 2013. The year ends leaving negative marks in the institutional, economic, social and environmental dimensions, but opening windows of opportunities and options for the future.

In the short term, the outlook is not good, especially in relation to climate control, today's most urgent and delicate challenge. The outcome of COP-19, the UN Climate Conference, held in Warsaw, Poland, deepened uncertainty regarding the ability of global political leaders to set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The global economic crisis continues to act as a barrier for developed countries to avoid assuming their historical responsibilities. The emerging bloc believes it has the right to maintain and even expand the use of fossil fuels in its energy mix, despite scientific warnings and more intense and frequent climate events.
Although frustrating, COP-19 opened the way for defining the bases of an international agreement to be signed in Paris, France, in 2015, to come into force from 2020. Before that, Lima, Peru, will host COP-20 in 2014.

Also in 2015, the UN will announce the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This movement will strengthen efforts to establish targets for the basic principles of sustainability: recovery and maintenance of environmental assets and an effective fight against poverty.
Regardless of the success of COP-21 and the SDGs, the next six years will be decisive for the world to find a path towards a development model that meets economic, social and environmental demands in a balanced way. The role of other sectors – such as companies and social and academic organizations – has been strengthened: they are fundamental in this new process that the world is going through.

At the moment, there is good news and bad news. Shale gas – which emits 50% less than conventional gas – is gaining ground in the American market, reducing US oil imports by 22.37%. In return, the main economies of the European Union are replacing nuclear power plants with coal-fired power plants. In the social dimension, the rise of emerging economies is reducing poverty in the world, but not to the point of positively impacting the most fragile countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Brazil, a scenario of challenges and opportunities. The demonstrations brought to light several issues related to sustainability: urban mobility, investments in infrastructure for major events and the legacy for the population, a management model with an emphasis on transparency and the fight against corruption. Popular demands alerted government officials to the need to rethink behaviors and public policy strategies. The approval of the anti-corruption law, which comes into effect in January, and the increase in transparency in the National Congress are significant examples.

The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (Cebds) and other national councils of the WBCSD (acronym in English for the World Council) adopted as a strategic guideline the study “Vision 2050”, which presents a set of concrete recommendations on what we need to do to reach the middle of the century in a position to offer a dignified life to the 9 billion inhabitants who will be living on the planet without further affecting the ecosystems.

During Rio+20, we launched the “Brazil Vision 2050”, which is based on our reality. The second step is the development of the “Action 2020”, which will have a framework to be launched at the end of 2014, with actions by companies to align the private sector agenda with that of society and propose business solutions and public policies.

In our case, we need to learn to take advantage of competitive advantages – water, biodiversity, energy potential, year-round sunshine, areas available for food production and cultural diversity – not only to meet social and environmental demands, but, above all, to transform them into a virtuous circle of sustainable development.

Article published on the Amcham website on 02/06/2013