Conference invitation
LEADING CHANGE EUROPEAN PROGRESSIVES FOR GREEN GROWTH AND CLIMATE ACTION Copenhagen, 11 October 2016 Introduction The world is and will be facing the challenge of climate change. These changes have the potential to profoundly change the ways we live, work, and consume. How do we move towards a green economy? How can we as progressives harness the potential of this transition to foster growth, environmental sustainability, but also social progress? How can Europe lead this transition? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in the conference ”Leading change – European progressives for green growth and climate action”, in Copenhagen on 11 October 2016. The conference takes place a year after the member states of the United Nations successfully concluded the first universal climate change accord. The Paris Agreement stipulates the world community’s commitment to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, or possibly even 1.5 degrees Celsius, and principles how to achieve this. On COP22 in Marrakesh the countries will further specify how to reach this objective, where additional efforts are still needed. This means decisive action must be taken now to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and worldwide. As European Socialists and Democrats we are convinced that stricter climate regulation can also offer great opportunities to industries and businesses by ensuring they stay ahead in innovation and productivity, while opening up new markets, sectors and business models, creating green jobs and make our economies more environmentally and socially sustainable. This conference seeks to answer the following questions: - Is climate action a chance or a threat to economic development? - What jobs and growth opportunities offers the greening of the economy? - What is the role of the EU and Member States? - How to organise a just transition? - How does the Paris Agreement urge for enhanced climate action? - What are the impacts of the Paris Agreement on European industries and businesses? - How will the transition be financed? - What to expect from COP22?
For questions and registration, please do not hesitate to contact Gerrit Krause, PES Adviser on Environment, Climate and Energy Policies (Gerrit.krause@pes.eu).
Program
LEADING CHANGE – EUROPEAN PROGRESSIVES FOR GREEN GROWTH AND CLIMATE ACTION 11 October 2016 Conference languages: Danish and English Venue: Workers Museum, Rømersgade 22, 1362 Copenhagen, Denmark Host of the day: Jan Juul Christensen, General Secretary Social Democratic Party of Denmark
12.30 – 13.30 Registration of participants and light lunch 13.30 – 14.00 Welcoming and opening Speeches by Mette Frederiksen, President Social Democratic Party of Denmark and Sergei Stanishev, President Party of European Socialists 14.00 – 14.20 Keynote speech: Mogens Lykketoft, former President of the UN General Assembly 14.20 – 15.35 Can the Danish Model Inspire? How to combine green growth with decent jobs creation and a sustainable social development? “Transforming Denmark to a green growth economy – the experience from the 90’s and lessons for today” Analysis by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, former Danish Prime Minister and former PES President Replies by: Dan Jørgensen, member of the social democratic group leadership in the Danish Parliament, Social Democratic Party of Denmark Nanna Højlund, Vice-President Danish Confederation of Trade Unions Jan Hylleberg, CEO Danish Wind Industry Association Session facilitated by: Jeppe Kofod, Member of the European Parliament, leader of the Danish Social Democratic Group in the European Parliament and Presidency Member of PES 15.35 – 16.00 Coffee break
16.00 – 17.15 Greening business and industrial policies to foster jobs and growth in Europe This panel focuses on the interlinkage between climate and business/industrial policies. At the time of the conference, important climate-related EU legislation in the framework of the EU Energy Union will be discussed with impact on European businesses and industries. These include the reform of the Emission Trading System (ETS), and directives on Effort-Sharing, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Performance of Buildings, Energy Labelling and Ecodesign. At the same time, the circular economy will start to be translated in concrete legislative proposals. How do policies have to look like to protect the climate and environment, while enabling new, sustainable businesses, business models and quality jobs? Moderator: Charlotte Billingham, executive advisor at Foundation for European Progressive Studies Discussants: o Kirsten Brosbøl, Member of the Danish Parliament, former Danish Minister of Environment, Social Democratic Party of Denmark o Montserrat Mir, Confederal Secretary European Trade Union Confederation o Christian Linder, Industry Adviser to Commission Vice-President for Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic o Teresa Ribera, Director Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, adviser to the Spanish Socialist Workers Party’s Secretary General, former Spanish Secretary of State for Climate Change o Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director European Environmental Agency Q&A with audience. 17.15 – 17.25 Video message Barbara Hendricks, Federal Environment Minister, Social Democratic Party of Germany 17.25 – 18.40 From Paris to Marrakesh: One month before the start of COP22, this panel focuses on a progressive analysis of the outcomes of COP21 and an assessment of the progress made since December, followed by an outlook on the expectations for COP22 (7-18. November 2016, Marrakesh). Moderator: Carin Jämtin, PES Vice-President, former Secretary General Swedish Social Democratic Party o o o o o
Discussants: Jens Joel Nielsen, Spokesperson on climate and energy, Social Democratic Party of Denmark Per Rune Henriksen, Member of the Norwegian Parliament, Labour Party Norway Laura Slimani, President Young European Socialists Troels Dam Christensen, Director Danish 92 Group – Forum for Sustainable Development Joy Mogensen, Mayor of Roskilde, Social Democratic Party of Denmark
Q&A with audience. 18.40 – 19.00: Closing 19.00 - 20.00: Reception