Environment specialist lauds Kingdom’s energy efforts

Scientists have unanimously agreed that global warming is the result of CO2 emission caused by human interference, a Swedish environment official told Arab News recently.
Anna Lindstedt, ambassador for climate change at the Swedish Ministry of the Environment, suggested the use of different technologies to limit these emissions, adding that her country could be part of this technological solution.
“The Kingdom is on its way to diversify its economy and its energy mix,” said Lindstedt. “This is a big challenge, which cannot be achieved overnight. In Sweden, we raised the price of energy and imposed a high tax on carbon dioxide to encourage a reduced use of energy and help develop the use of sustainable energy. In Saudi Arabia, crude oil is inexpensive, so the pricing instrument wouldn’t work here,” she added.
Lindstedt also currently holds a position as chief negotiator for Sweden in the negotiations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This convention is held yearly with environment, finance and development ministers. The Doha Climate Change conference in November last year was the most recent.
She said the climate is a dynamic and ever-changing process through a natural cycle. “What worries the world is that today’s climate changes have been exacerbated due to man’s activities.”
Scientists all over the world are studying these changes. They find evidence in tree rings, pollen samples, ice cores and marine sediments. The causes of climate change can be divided into two categories — those that are due to natural causes and those created by man.
“We now know that man-made climate changes are real and they pose a great threat to the planet and its inhabitants. Current data suggest that we need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in developed countries by at least 80 percent by 2050 to have a chance of staying below an average temperature rise of over 2 degrees Celsius. “
Factory farming is a major contributor to climate change, as it releases a large volume of greenhouse gases. “These are formed throughout the supply chain. Forest clearance to grow crops and rear animals reduces vital carbon ‘sinks’ and releases gases previously stored in the soil and vegetation,” she said, adding that countries like the Philippines are among the most vulnerable to the impact of global warming.
“When a Filipino delegate made a very personal and emotional appeal at the Doha conference, I realized how serious and complex this situation is. The net effect of climate change is what you see in the Philippines— flooding, storms, typhoons and more,” said Lindstedt.
Fossil energy will still be important for more many years. “We must focus on using that energy more efficiently, while moving toward developing renewable energy at the same time. In this process we can assist each other through the transfer of technology and by providing funds to the most vulnerable countries.”
To raise awareness on all levels about the impact of climate changes, Lindstedt said it is important to get the message across to families and schools, at individual, local, national and regional levels as well as through civil societies.
With regard to those who argue that multinational companies have their hand in the global warming, Lindstedt said, “We have seen throughout the world that some private companies have not taken full responsibility. It is very important to work with the private sector, as they certainly must feel responsible, but also to focus on having the proper regulation in a country. This would avoid misuse of natural resources.
“We work closely with Swedish companies as part of their corporate social responsibility programs, encouraging private companies to take responsibility for addressing social issues and for respecting the environment.”