IN a move to mobilize the means of science and innovation for implementing the Paris Agreement and supporting European Union climate action, the European Commission (EC) has established a high-level panel on how to effectively remove carbons and other carbonaceous deposits from polluting products, including motor engines and other metal objects.
Information relayed to Database by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) said its director, noted physicist Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, has been appointed chair of the panel at its first meeting last Friday in Brussels.
The panel of nine renowned experts will deliver science-based, policy-relevant advice to the EC, in the form of intermediate policy briefs, and of a final report after three years, PIK said after a meeting with the experts hosted by Commissioner Carlos Moedas, European commissioner for research, science and innovation.
Moedas said research and innovation are essential to design technologies and policy trajectories, which will allow meeting the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“Our capacity to provide the best available science evidence will be instrumental for future decisions. This is what we expect of the high-level panel that starts working today,” Moedas said.
“Europe can and should pioneer the global movement toward a cleaner and greener future,” said Schellnhuber, while, at the same time, thanking Commissioner Moedas for asking him to participate in this venture that will identify viable trajectories based on the best scientific evidence.
PIK said 195 countries agreed in Paris to decarbonize production and consumption systems within just a few decades. This decision will require political, technological, economic and social action at an unprecedented scale. In fact, 2016 needs to be year one of the great transformation toward sustainability.
Other respected personalities from academia, business and society forming the panel are:
1. Peter Bakker, president and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and former CEO of TNT NV;
2. Catia Bastioli, CEO of Novamont, CEO of Mater-Biotech, CEO of Matrica, inventor of around 80 patent families in the sector of synthetic and natural polymers and transformation processes of renewable raw materials;
3. Paul Ekins, professor of Resources and Environmental Policy at and director of the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, University College London; and deputy director of the UK Energy Research Centre;
4. Beata Jaczewska, executive director of International Visegrad Fund; former ministerial advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, the Ministry of Economy of Poland; and former undersecretary of state, Ministry of the Environment of Poland;
5. Barbara Kux, member of the Boards Firmenich, Groupe Engie, Henkel, Total and Umicore; and former member of the Managing Board and chief sustainability officer at Siemens;
6. Schellnhuber, director of the PIK; professor of Physics at Potsdam University; cochairman of the Advisory Council on Global Change for the German federal government;
7. Laurence Tubiana, ambassador of France for Climate Change Negotiations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development; special representative of France for 21st Conference of Parties; professor, Sciences Po Paris; and professor, Columbia University; director, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations;
8. Maria Van Der Hoeven, senior associate fellow at Clingendael International Energy Program; member of the board of trustees of RWE and of Rocky Mountain Institute; nonexecutive member of Board of Total; former executive director of the International Energy Agency; and
9. Karin Wanngard, mayor of city of Stockholm; leader of the Social Democrats in Stockholm Municipality; aiming at making the Swedish capital fossil fuel free by 2040.
To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@gmail.com
1 comment
“mobilize the means of science and innovation for implementing the Paris Agreement”
But in the main, they are not scientists. Further attempts to “de-carbonise” Europe will have disastrous economic consequences. The Paris agreement allows countries such as China and India to increase fossil fuel use for many years to come to the detriment of Europe. Meanwhile Professor Schellnhuber’s dire predictions regarding the climate, fail to happen.