The importance of long-term sustainability discussed at the Global Parliamentary Congress The Future of the World

Press release, 13 May 2023

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

 

On the second day of the Global Parliamentary Congress The Future of the World, held in the Seimas, its participants broke into parallel sessions. In particular, the second parallel session on Geopolitics for Long-term Sustainability focused on the challenges posed by sustainability ambitions and the steps to be taken to achieve change.

 

According to Elizabeth Dirth, Development Director of the ZOE Institute for Future-fit Economies, we are at a crossroads when it comes to sustainability. We have set certain national environmental and sustainable development goals. It will take us several decades to reach our objectives. In the meantime, we find ourselves in the middle of the implementation phase. She adds that we are also facing a wider range of challenges, including decarbonisation of our economies and investment in new technologies and developing industries. Our industries, as maintained by Ms Dirth, are forced to change as never before. In her opinion, solutions for the future could be identified in terms of financial flows and government instruments and mechanisms.

 

In his assessment of the current situation, Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, expressed his appreciation of the growing unity of the world regarding the agenda of the green transition. Many leaders worldwide have already realised that environmental activities are not only beneficial but also represent one of the fastest growing global markets. According to the Commissioner, the use of batteries alone will increase several-fold in the European Union by 2030. With around 90 % of the total offshore wind capacity, Europe takes the lead in the area of renewable offshore energy. Moreover, Member States keep raising their targets. The automotive industry generates about 11.5 % of the global GDP and spends around EUR 15 billion a year on research and innovation to find fully decarbonised solutions for vehicles.

 

Mr Sinkevičius argues that in many countries public infrastructure still, unfortunately, puts a brake on the transition to clean transport, although some producers are already investing heavily in hydrogen technology, and the European Union is about to launch a European Hydrogen Bank initiative to set up a local hydrogen market.

 

The Commissioner maintains that Europe was at the forefront of renewable solar energy development a few years ago, but, regrettably, has given up the fight and let China take the lead, with the latter becoming the largest producer of solar panels as well as of solar energy.

 

When referring to the solutions to be pursued, Mr Sinkevičius notes that it is necessary to build resilience and seek economic autonomy, as some countries use their resources as an instrument of political pressure. Circular economy is one of the key ways of addressing the challenge. The Commissioner believes that green solutions can make us more resilient, allowing us to repurpose what we have already used. We must also reduce the risk of relations with some third countries and ensure that our supply chains have as many sources of supply available from different countries as possible. Green is the future that is already visible on the horizon, embracing a plethora of political decisions and initiatives, and that is the future of our economies. The race for such future is gaining pace, with more and more resources being put on the table, and we need to find and assert our role in it. We must maintain our relations with, first and foremost, democracies, and with the G7 countries, thus ensuring that we develop the basic global technologies and standards. Of course, batteries, solar and wind energy are top priorities. But, as maintained by Mr Sinkevičius, we should keep our sight on the bigger picture, thus including hydrogen and other solutions that could reduce the risks in relations with some third countries. This brings profits and helps to ensure a secure future, and this will ultimately improve our citizens’ health and our security.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

 

Lukas Savickas, Member of the Seimas, who took part in the discussion, recalled the experience and lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. He says that the pandemic has drastically highlighted our dependencies in various areas. We were all in deep shock and faced uncertainty in an effort to survive it. We felt a sudden change in the stable world trade environment, making even orders for face masks impossible. Europe has understood that in certain critical areas it is necessary to ensure that we have local capabilities available as closer to us as possible and that not all manufacturing should be relocated to third countries. This, as he puts it, is becoming a new reality for the way we plan everything and approach the critical sectors of our economy.

 

When referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Mr Savickas notes that the ongoing war requires our preparedness for various scenarios. In the meantime, sustainability should become a key element in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

 

In the search for solutions, Mr Savickas noted Lithuania’s experience of turning geopolitical challenges into opportunities. According to him, geopolitics can become a driving force for innovation and sustainability solutions. As far as relations with Russia are concerned, energy dependence has represented a major challenge for Lithuania. One way of solving this problem was turning energy consumers into prosumers with the help of state support. We had one of the fastest growing market entries when we divided the players in the energy sector into consumers and prosumers so that people could make use of the opportunity to install solar panels on their roofs. As a result, our electricity grid has become as diverse and independent as possible. Certainly, as maintained by Mr Savickas, there are still many challenges ahead. However, progress has already been made in ensuring our energy independence.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

 

In his speech, Miroslav Gregorič, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, admitted that the challenges we are facing are numerous, including the effects of climate change such as droughts, floods and shortages of fresh water that are already experienced in some areas, which may lead to food shortages, migration and the rise in sea levels. Mr Gregorič also adds that such issues will also pose demographic challenges. Some countries already have a need to import labour force in the agricultural sector, which, according to him, is not a very sustainable solution. On top of that, we are also dealing with social inequality and growing levels of poverty.

 

Excessive consumerism, as noted by Mr Gregorič, represents yet another challenge. To illustrate this, Mr Gregorič gives an example from personal experience, as he is forced to buy a new telephone every two years because the old one can no longer be updated. He also mentions the urge to satisfy the need for strategic resources, such as uranium, titanium or cobalt, as yet another challenging issue.

 

Moreover, Mr Gregorič talked about dealing with the closure of coal mines, as he was certain that lobbyists were working actively to ensure the survival of this industry. The renewal of vehicles and aviation fuel represent additional challenges ahead. Finally, Mr Gregorič mentioned artificial intelligence as yet another problem to be focused on. He wondered whether it should be treated as a curse or as a solution, since in addition to its positive sides, much like the nuclear weapon, it posed a threat.

 

The second parallel session on Geopolitics for Long-term Sustainability also featured speeches by Bernard Jenkin, Chair of the Liaison Committee of the House of Commons, United Kingdom, and Tom Hashimoto, Associate Professor at Vilnius University and Director of the Baltic Institute of Economics and International Relations.

 

The photos of the event are published on the Flickr account of the Seimas and will be free for use provided they bear the indication of the source.

Video recordings will be available on the Seimas YouTube channel Atviras Seimas (Open Seimas).

 

Find out more on the Congress here.

 

Press Office, Information and Communication Department, Office of the Seimas, e-mail: [email protected]