nEWS
Seminar “Adapting to Climate Change”:“It is possible to grow and
decarbonise”
Published on September 28th, 2015
“It is possible to grow and decarbonise”, said Humberto Rosa of the Directorate-General for Climate Action in the European Commission and former Secretary of State for Environment, during the seminar “Adapting to Climate Change” organised by Lipor, and attended also by Carlos Borrego of the Institute for Environment and Development at the University of Aveiro, and Filipe Araújo, Porto City Councilman for the Environment.
The European Union (EU) is on the right track to meet and even exceed the goals for reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the goals for increasing renewable energy, despite the unfavourable economic climate.
According to Humberto Rosa, the EU has managed to reduce by 18% greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal being a 20% reduction by 2020. As to renewable energies, they already account for about 13% when the target is 20% for that same year.
“The balance we are able to do is positive. The European Union, having the most ambitious climate policy in the world and with well-established goals, has managed not only to move towards these goals, but do so by growing”, affirmed the responsible Directorate-General for Climate Action in European Commission.
Furthermore, “the European Union has shown that it is possible to have the economy to thrive and reduce emissions. This is a great indicator for all of us since we did not expect to succeed if we had to suffer a lot and be poor in order to have a better world. Europeans concluded that this policy is in their best interest”.
According to the director for adaptation and low-carbon technologies of the European Commission, this idea also applies to national and local level, businesses and schools, where “there are many opportunities and benefits to be gained by reducing emissions and preparing for the increasing climate impacts”.
In fact, in Portugal, “the so-called green industries and eco-industries have been able to endure and even increase employment opportunities, even in an adverse economic context. There is an opportunity for innovation, growth and employment in these areas of decarbonisation.” In all, eco-industries already employ 4.2 million people, thus constituting an important segment of the European economy.
As for the costs of renewable energy, the responsible aforementioned considers it an increasingly outdated debate. “With renewable energy, we do not pay the sun or the wind, whilst if we have something based on oil, coal or gas import, we have to pay at all times. This is the continuing investment logic”, he explained.
When questioned by Clima@EduMedia on the role of schools, his response was adamant: “Schools can also do a lot, and not just in the strictly educational field. I see today in many schools, activities, sometimes promoted by students and teachers, in terms of establishing new ventilation and energy systems, local gardens or greenery in the schools themselves, with climate benefits and benefits for all”.
Humberto Rosa believes it is possible to achieve increasingly more ambitious goals, such as an 80% reduction of GHGs by 2050, using existing technology and changing behaviours, with benefits in terms of wealth production, savings by reducing oil imports and gains in health by reducing pollution, among others. Challenges might include a predictable increase in energy costs and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in sectors such as agriculture.
Greener infrastructures to combat "heat island" effect
To Carlos Borrego, climate change is “disturbing” but also “an opportunity to rethink our choices and lifestyles”.
The researcher from the Institute for the Environment and Development of the University of Aveiro and former Environment minister warned that climate change is “inevitable” even if it were possible to “turn off the tap” of all greenhouse gas emissions, so we must adapt.
In order for an adaptation to the effects of climate change to take place, it is necessary to “empower" people, he argues. “The big challenge is to feel, as citizens, responsible and direct players in solving this problem”.
Although there is a long list of priority areas and sectors of intervention, Carlos Borrego believes that “this fight will be won or lost in urban areas”, representing 80% of the energy used in the EU. It is estimated that within five years, 70% of the population will live in cities.
One concern is the so-called “heat island effect” (“an urban area with more grey infrastructures increases its temperature by 2°C [Celsius] when compared with non-urban areas”).
The solution to “cool cities” is in the creation of “green and blue infrastructures, in nature-based solutions, such as green roofs and walls, and in increasing the number of properly selected trees”. In Porto, one of the measures advocated by the former ruler was the expansion of “Parque da Cidade” (City Park) to almost its double.
According to the Porto City Councilman for the Environment, afforestation is one of the measures planned, together with the creation of green facades and roofs, precisely to reduce the effects of heat waves and “heat islands”. Other measures are being prepared, taking into account the main vulnerability of the municipality, especially the excessive rainfall and floods.
During this seminar, a compromise was also signed, in which LIPOR plans to extend the “Estratégia 2M” (2M Strategy) to the subject of adaptation, being now called “Estratégia 3M” (Strategy 3M) - less waste, less carbon, more climate.
Annualy, Lipor treats about 500,000 tons of municipal waste produced by one million inhabitants of the associated municipalities (Espinho, Gondomar, Maia, Matosinhos, Porto, Póvoa de Varzim, Valongo and Vila do Conde).
By: Cláudia Azevedo
According to Humberto Rosa, the EU has managed to reduce by 18% greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal being a 20% reduction by 2020. As to renewable energies, they already account for about 13% when the target is 20% for that same year.
“The balance we are able to do is positive. The European Union, having the most ambitious climate policy in the world and with well-established goals, has managed not only to move towards these goals, but do so by growing”, affirmed the responsible Directorate-General for Climate Action in European Commission.
Furthermore, “the European Union has shown that it is possible to have the economy to thrive and reduce emissions. This is a great indicator for all of us since we did not expect to succeed if we had to suffer a lot and be poor in order to have a better world. Europeans concluded that this policy is in their best interest”.
According to the director for adaptation and low-carbon technologies of the European Commission, this idea also applies to national and local level, businesses and schools, where “there are many opportunities and benefits to be gained by reducing emissions and preparing for the increasing climate impacts”.
In fact, in Portugal, “the so-called green industries and eco-industries have been able to endure and even increase employment opportunities, even in an adverse economic context. There is an opportunity for innovation, growth and employment in these areas of decarbonisation.” In all, eco-industries already employ 4.2 million people, thus constituting an important segment of the European economy.
As for the costs of renewable energy, the responsible aforementioned considers it an increasingly outdated debate. “With renewable energy, we do not pay the sun or the wind, whilst if we have something based on oil, coal or gas import, we have to pay at all times. This is the continuing investment logic”, he explained.
When questioned by Clima@EduMedia on the role of schools, his response was adamant: “Schools can also do a lot, and not just in the strictly educational field. I see today in many schools, activities, sometimes promoted by students and teachers, in terms of establishing new ventilation and energy systems, local gardens or greenery in the schools themselves, with climate benefits and benefits for all”.
Humberto Rosa believes it is possible to achieve increasingly more ambitious goals, such as an 80% reduction of GHGs by 2050, using existing technology and changing behaviours, with benefits in terms of wealth production, savings by reducing oil imports and gains in health by reducing pollution, among others. Challenges might include a predictable increase in energy costs and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in sectors such as agriculture.
Greener infrastructures to combat "heat island" effect
To Carlos Borrego, climate change is “disturbing” but also “an opportunity to rethink our choices and lifestyles”.
The researcher from the Institute for the Environment and Development of the University of Aveiro and former Environment minister warned that climate change is “inevitable” even if it were possible to “turn off the tap” of all greenhouse gas emissions, so we must adapt.
In order for an adaptation to the effects of climate change to take place, it is necessary to “empower" people, he argues. “The big challenge is to feel, as citizens, responsible and direct players in solving this problem”.
Although there is a long list of priority areas and sectors of intervention, Carlos Borrego believes that “this fight will be won or lost in urban areas”, representing 80% of the energy used in the EU. It is estimated that within five years, 70% of the population will live in cities.
One concern is the so-called “heat island effect” (“an urban area with more grey infrastructures increases its temperature by 2°C [Celsius] when compared with non-urban areas”).
The solution to “cool cities” is in the creation of “green and blue infrastructures, in nature-based solutions, such as green roofs and walls, and in increasing the number of properly selected trees”. In Porto, one of the measures advocated by the former ruler was the expansion of “Parque da Cidade” (City Park) to almost its double.
According to the Porto City Councilman for the Environment, afforestation is one of the measures planned, together with the creation of green facades and roofs, precisely to reduce the effects of heat waves and “heat islands”. Other measures are being prepared, taking into account the main vulnerability of the municipality, especially the excessive rainfall and floods.
During this seminar, a compromise was also signed, in which LIPOR plans to extend the “Estratégia 2M” (2M Strategy) to the subject of adaptation, being now called “Estratégia 3M” (Strategy 3M) - less waste, less carbon, more climate.
Annualy, Lipor treats about 500,000 tons of municipal waste produced by one million inhabitants of the associated municipalities (Espinho, Gondomar, Maia, Matosinhos, Porto, Póvoa de Varzim, Valongo and Vila do Conde).
By: Cláudia Azevedo