| THE HAGUE CONFERENCE REPORT, APRIL 11-12, 2012: |
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Business Action for Sustainable Development 2012 - Contribution for Rio +20 Around the globe government officials and business sector representatives held their consultations in the Hague, Netherlands, during April 11-12, 2012, as part of Rio+20 (UN Sustainable Development Conference) preparations, organized by "Business Action for Sustainable Development 2012". More than 300 participants took part in "Understanding inclusive and green development" discussion, analyzing the possibility for the business sector innovation capabilities and adaptation to be maximally utilized in its transformation into a green economy. The Hague Consultations were organized by the Dutch government, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD2012) business groups’ coalition dedicated to sustainable development and facilitate the opinions and ideas exchange regarding the future world’s economy sustainable development. Conclusions from the Hague will be provided in the form of worldwide private business sector’s joint message and expectations presented to the key conference Rio+20 government participants. “The main conclusion is that the business sector and governments must work together in order to make the move”, as Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (heading the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs) put it, "from paper to implementation". Mr. Janez Potocnik, EU Commissioner for the Environment, also stressed that we can not afford to lose another 20 years that already passed since first Rio De Janeiro conference, being necessary to abolish the principle of critical environmental importance issues, and hence the Earth survival, being reached by consensus of all countries. “If we do not act immediately and take decisive steps towards the establishment of sustainable development and green economy - humanity will hit the wall, costing us far greater to remedy the consequences at that point than acting on time”. One of the panelists, Mr. Philippe Joubert, Senior Advisor to the Chairman & CEO at Alstom Corporation, the world energy leader in domain of transmission and transportation infrastructure, made the request for drastically increased CO2 emission taxes. Mr. Michael Mateski, general manager of Greentech Ltd, representing Serbian green industry’s small and medium-sized enterprises in the Hague, said that it is important to understand the small and medium enterprises importance to global green economy and sustainable development establishment: - Nearly 90% of the global business is statistically concluded by small and medium-sized enterprises - Employ 65% of the global work force, - Their respective businesses realize countries’ 55% of gross national income, - Up to 70% of new jobs are created by this group. “Small and medium-sized enterprises are the main contributors to the local employment level improvement, enabling higher education levels and rapid market adaptation, and are easier to optimize the investment to cost ratios implementing new business solutions. Green economy represents an exceptional opportunity for the small and medium enterprises development in Serbia, having the crucial importance for national sustainable development level. Sustainable development is based on three key pillars: social, environmental and economic aspects, with social component being very important in Serbia, beset by extremely high unemployment rate” said Mateski. “The "Think globally, act locally" principle is very much applicable in the green economy and sustainable development field. Pollution knows no boundaries, with solving Earth issues being equally dependent on the world governments’ actions and the local community activities. Small and Medium Sized Enterprises transformation towards the green economy by the establishment of energy efficiency, proper waste disposal, environmentally and socially responsible business practices, thus contributing contribute to solving the problem of pollution at all levels and sustainable development. " More information on the consultation can be found at The Hague www.rio2012-businessconsultation.nl |
