24.03.2009
Kyiv
First Ukrainian Business Summit on Climate Change
24 March 2009. Kyiv, Ukraine-First Ukrainian Business Summit on Climate Change which was organized by United Nations Office in Ukraineand Global Compact Network with the support of Ministry of Environment of Ukrainein the framework of national “Go Green!” Campaign took place in Kyiv.
The United Nations Secretary-General has called 2009 the “year of Climate Change” since this problem although not as acute as financial recession will have much worse consequences in the future. Climate change being a global issue and transcending national interests requires response from each and every country, as well as all stakeholders, including
“Our country’s economy suffers losses from natural cataclysms and needs coordination of measures with international community in order to lighten and adapt to climate change. Since the bigger amount of greenhouse gas emissions are released by energy sector, it would be impossible to solve the issue of softening the influence on climate without reconstructing the system of energy production and consumption. Ukrainian side has intention to use the reserve of greenhouse emission quotas for involving foreign investments through implementation of joint projects and “green scheme”. At the same time, in order to achieve common goal we need to join the capacities of state and local authorities, business and non-governmental organizations”, - noted Dmytro Hurs’kyi, Deputy Minister of Environment of Ukraine.
Presentation of results of national survey “Climate Change: perception and readiness for action” was held during the summits. The survey was conducted upon the request of UN Office in
“One of the biggest challenges on the way to adaptation to climate change is the fact that neither Ukrainian society nor Ukrainian government don’t prioritize climate change prevention as a top priority, - commented Sergiy Volkov, UNDP Programme Manager. – Experts also stressed the weaknesses of Ukrainian legislation (especially in regards to using the mechanisms of Kyoto Protocol), violating the existing laws and regulations concerning environment, lack of strategic policies in this sphere, as well as low effectiveness of authorities activities. At the same time economic opportunities for climate change mitigation, connected with introducing Kyoto Protocol should also be explained to the society.
Role of business in climate change mitigation, introducing new innovative environment protection business-models, state facilitation of ecological responsibility of business, the necessity of public-private partnerships and importance of eco-friendly technologies and energy efficiency were discussed during the Summit.
“Ecological issues are very important to branch holdings – METINVEST and DTEK – since production cycles have an impact on environment as a result of an extensive energy resources use with little or lack of attention to environment protection. This is why SCM very actively implements long-term investment programmes for modernization of production and reducing the ecological impact, comments Viktor Starshevskyi, Kyoto Protocol Projects Senior Manager at METINVEST HOLDING. – I would like to note that, energy efficiency helps to work more effectively, energy efficiency programmes result in cutting expenses. Ecological work is conducted in accordance with ISO 14001 international standard”.
Kadri Ozen, Corporate relations Director of Coca-Cola Company in
- Presentations of the summit are available here.
- In order to get acquainted with the results of the survey on climate change perceptions, please click here.
- The agenda are available here.
- Photomaterials from the summit are avalible here.