The ambassadors of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland highlighted that the country has immeasurable wealth and regional leadership in environmental matters.
October 21, 2024 By: El País Editorial Team
Opinion column by Jens Godtfredsen, Ambassador of Denmark; Antti Kaski, Ambassador of Finland; Nils Martin Gunneng, Ambassador of Norway; and Helena Storm, Ambassador of Sweden.
In a world where sustainability is no longer a choice but an urgent necessity, strategic alliances between nations are more important than ever. The celebration of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Colombia will be a key opportunity to strengthen this shared commitment.
Colombia, a country with immeasurable natural wealth and regional leadership in environmental matters, has demonstrated its commitment to energy transition and biodiversity protection. We are here to support its efforts, learn from its experience, and move forward together towards solutions that address the common challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Jens Godtfredsen, ambassador of Denmark; Helena Storm, ambassador of Sweden; Antti Kaski, ambassador of Finland and Nils Martin Gunneng, ambassador of Norway. | Photo: Montage with photos from El País / Courtesy
But beyond the actions of governments and institutions, sustainability requires everyone’s participation. From small decisions like saving energy to reducing waste, each person can contribute. Young people, in particular, have been a key force in the Nordic countries, leading movements that demand greater climate action and transforming social awareness. Their involvement is crucial for the future we are building.
In the Nordic countries, we have spent decades learning that it is possible to build prosperous economies while protecting the planet. Sweden, for example, recycles 99.7% of its household waste, which is then converted into clean energy. Finland has embraced technological innovation to sustainably manage its forest resources. Norway’s energy production is nearly 100% renewable and emission-free. Meanwhile, Denmark has positioned itself as a leader in renewable energy, generating more than 50% of its electricity from wind and solar sources, and boasting the largest offshore wind farm in the world.
We have the honor, but also the challenge, of being and remaining at the top of indices like the 2023 Environmental Performance Index, where the Nordic countries are recognized for their sustainability. This is possible thanks to rigorous policies on renewable energy, natural resource management, and emissions reduction. We have learned from our mistakes and from enriching conversations with diverse stakeholders, which has been key to our development. We want to share this experience and also learn from the knowledge and lessons that Colombia and the world have to offer us.
That is why the Nordic countries will be present at COP16 with an agenda open to the public. We will share the journey we've taken, the lessons learned, and success stories through the voices of those who made them possible: the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society. We are convinced that these conversations require a collaborative approach that fosters the cross-sector exchange of ideas, efforts, and solutions in favor of a circular and carbon-neutral economy. This is a conversation that concerns all of us, and therefore, we must all actively participate in it.
This global event, in which Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden will participate actively, represents a unique opportunity to strengthen our climate alliances and reaffirm that cooperation is the way forward to tackle the challenges of climate change.
Let’s move toward concrete solutions: let’s talk about innovation, bioeconomy, renewable energy, sustainable mining, and circular economy. Let’s commit to a world where development and sustainability go hand in hand. We share the same goal, and that goal brings us together at COP16. See you there!
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