50 yrs since green meet, calls grow to act on fossil fuels
NEW DELHI: Scientists, researchers and activists from around the world gathered in Stockholm on Friday and were expected to issue a strongly worded resolution calling on countries to phase out fossil fuels and support developing nations in the transition to clean energy.
The conference, Stockholm+50, was held over Thursday and Friday to commemorate 50 years since the first meeting held in the Swedish capital when the world initially confronted the idea that development needs to be environmentally sustainable.
The United Nations system should “facilitate multilateral processes to ensure a just and equitable phase out of fossil fuels and finance for the transition, to be agreed by all countries, in the context of achieving sustainable development and eradication of poverty” said one of the resolution proposals under discussion. A resolution was expected by the end of the meeting but was yet to be issued till the time of going to print.
The Stockholm+50 conference did not involve any multilateral negotiations but scientists, researchers and activists.
The draft statements that came out of Stockholm earlier on Friday left many researchers unhappy. One point of contention was the lack of a mention of “overconsumption” or “cutting back on consumption” which has led to the climate crisis. Another example from the draft resolution states: “Private sector to strengthen the application of their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges, while respecting and promoting human rights, labour and environmental rights, and health standards.” But the draft doesn’t talk about sharing and distribution of public goods.
“I am not expecting much at the moment. I hope the resolution speaks straight and highlights the key problems that scientists have already flagged,” said a civil society member, asking not to be named.
The Stockholm+50 saw ministers and leaders from UN member states making national statements; there was large civil society participation including a protest by The Fridays for Future and Rise up Movement on Friday. There were sessions on technology transition; circular economy; sustainable recovery from Covid 19 and marine plastic pollution. “A commemoration of the Stockholm 1972 conference is important because it helps you reflect on what have we achieved in the past 50 years? Most often we are caught up in the here and now challenge. We are in panic mode to address acute crises on a day-to-day basis. What about the chronic crises like biodiversity loss, pollution, climate change? This conference has no negotiations so it’s not about arguments,” said Arunabha Ghosh, founder and CEO of New Delhi based Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) from Stockholm.