Text of a Speech by Mona Sahlin, Party Leader

Towards a “Post-Carbon Society”
 
Session 2 – The role of politics and of social actors
24 October 2007 – European Commission

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am the leader of the Social Democrats in Sweden. I am the 7th leader in 118 years and I am the first women to take on this role.

The challenge of climate change now is as big as the fight against the class society was 100 years ago. I am not an expert - I am a politician. And I will try to give you an idea how we think about the climate change. And the need for action. 

We inherited this Earth from our ancestors.
We have been able to live here together on Earth together for a very long time.
We have done so in a way that will soon have wrecked the conditions for life for future generations.

As we have shared the fruits of development, we now have to share the aftermath – but in a more equal and just way this time.

There are few issues with a stronger moral dimension than the global climate change.

Politics is built on values and moral commitments. Or should be built.
But politics is also down-to-earth and pragmatic rebuilding and improvement of the society.

It is all about seeing what must be done, what can be done – and doing it.

* * *

Climate change as wee all know will affect the area especially around the equator hardest. And we also know that it’s not the question when climate change will affect the world – because the effect is already happening.

The first climate refugees have already left their villages and they still do as we speak.

Some voices claim the growing economies in China and India to be the problem. And they are and they will be an increasing problem. But I would also like to call that hypocrisy to only talk about India and China! Carbon dioxin emissions from the developing countries are only a fourth of those from the Western world. And that’s where I live.

The Western world is guilty of the changes in climate.
The developing countries will be struck worst.

* * *

We all know the facts and figures. In theory.
As politicians, having the knowledge is never enough.
You must also act and lead the way. And that is what politics is all about.

We politicians of the West world are to do the radical reforms that we all know are needed, whether popular or not. That’s an issue who like to be reelected.

In a few years, I am sure, we will realize that the climate debate we are having today is completely off the point.

The present conservative government in Sweden has been too passive with reduction targets on 20-30 % until 2020. The ambition today should be around 35 – 40 % up to year 2020. Soon we might be discussing reductions of between 70 and 90 per cent. Realistic? Let’s discuss that!

So let us not hide the fact that the efforts required will affect our way of life. And I feel that not enough politicians discuss that with their voters.
We will need to change our way of living and thinking.
It’s about housing and heating, traveling and eating….

Let us not pretend that it will be easy. It won’t.
Let us not be lulled into believing we have plenty of time. Because we don’t.

We have to seek a way of life based on new technologies, new knowledge and research. We have to find new transport solutions and do the investments. And we have to find ways for new international cooperation and responsibility.

New technologies and investments have always been a condition for economic development. 100 years ago and absolutely today too.

Thus, new technology and investments to improve sustainability also brings new potential for economic growth.

Thereby ending climate change is also a hopeful possibility.

* * *

I have already stated my view, that although climate change is a global issue, the rich countries have to carry the larger load.

This responsibility must also be taken on a national level: international agreements cannot stand alone. Someone must take the lead and show the way. The challenge is global, but an important part of the response and the solution is local.

For several years, the Swedish Social Democrats have adopted a coherent approach to sustainable development, not least to sustainable provisioning of energy. Our long-term goal is to base all our energy on renewable sources.

Sustainable development was the overall goal of the Swedish Social Democratic government, when I was Minister for Sustainable Development. 

Radical programs for enhancing energy efficiency, research, investments in environmental technology and economic means of control have been a part of Swedish politics for many years. Local commitment has been stimulated. Strategic environmental taxes have been implemented.

And the results have not been slow coming.

Since 1990, Swedish GDP has increased by more than 40 per cent while emissions have fallen around 7 per cent.

We are well on the way to quintupling production from wind energy by 2010, and there is great untapped potential.

10 years ago only a few cars in Sweden ran on bio-fuel. Today, every tenth new car sold is a green car. And it is increasing.

A national program for energy efficiency was launched in cooperation with industry leading to considerable energy-savings.

Last summer, before our election defeat, the Social Democratic government launched the target of ending Sweden’s dependence on oil, gas and coal by the year 2020.

This objective obtained much attention worldwide.

The Commission on Oil Independence, consisting of representatives of the automobile industry, environmental interests, farmers and workers, scientists and politicians, was appointed to review the measures necessary to achieve the new policy target. It was chaired by our Prime Minister to manifest the importance.

The Commission on Oil Independence’s targets were:
• The road transport sector must reduce oil use by 40-50 per cent by means of efficiency enhancement and new fuels.
• Homes and business premises must be heated without oil.
• Industry must reduce its oil use by 25-40 per cent. And their use is already very low today.

The Oil Commission showed that by working together, industry and politicians could reach ambitious targets. This is the role politics must have.

* * *

It is my firm belief that we both must and can do much more to change the course of global warming. Every nation must take their share of the responsibility to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Today, I’ve talked about some of the many things we have done in Sweden these last years to create a more sustainable society. I hope that some of our measures can inspire.

But some things are perhaps easier to do together. There is, for example, not easy for one country to replace petrol as the main fuel for their fleet of cars if other countries do less.
It must be possible to hate petrol, but still love the car. 

In Europe we have a common market and common environmental policies. The European Union is a unique institution. Are we really using it enough?!

As a conclusion to my speech I therefore would like to propose the forming of a European Oil or Post Carbon Commission.

In a European Oil Commission, representatives from the member states, the European Commission, the scientific community, the industry, agricultural and environmental organizations could come together and discuss what is needed to do at the European level to break our dependence on oil.

The Oil Commission could identify where existing EU-regulations are coming into conflict with our efforts to break oil dependence. It could also propose new policies at the EU-level.

By having every major interest involved in the work of a European Oil Commission we can hopefully find a broad consensus as to what is needed to be done. And also define the different roles we have – industry, scientists and politicians. The climate change demands that we all make more effort than we have done so far.

I believe that a joint institutional effort by a special Commission could be one of many ways to put the climate change at the highest point of the European agenda. Where it belongs.

So, let us see what we must do, what we can do and let us do it!

Thank you very much.