Major Group: Science & Technology
Scientists, engineers, and technology innovators consider sustainable energy to be
essential for sustainable development. Meeting the world?s growing energy demands
requires the use of all feasible energy resources. At the same time, addressing the
challenge of climate change will require a transition to a low-carbon emission economy.
A critically important point, for all to understand, is that the goal of securing sustainable
energy on a global scale, will only be met if there is strong, sustained support for
research and development efforts, aimed at bringing new, affordable energy
technologies to the market.
The optimal energy mix for any country will depend on many criteria, including the
local resource base and socio-economic context. Thus, each country must explore a
diverse portfolio of options, including energy efficiency, advanced renewable energy
systems, cleaner fossil fuels, carbon sequestration, and advanced safe nuclear energy
systems.
The scientific findings are clear: The IPCC confirmed that climate change is largely
due to human activities, and observational evidence now shows that many natural
systems are already being affected by climate changes. We have a short window of
opportunity to limit global warming to less than 2°C, which most scientists consider the
limit for keeping climate change from becoming a global catastrophe with huge socioeconomic
costs, and with developing countries being the most vulnerable to harmful
impacts.
More research on understanding climate changes and impacts at regional and local
levels, and strengthening of global observing systems, are urgently required. There is
also a great urgency to adopt policies and to implement measures in both mitigation and
adaptation. Adaptation measures must be a pursued in both developing and developed
countries, in order to reduce the harm from unavoidable climate change -- measures
such as finding solutions for low-lying coastal areas and adjusting agricultural practices
to changing climatological patterns.?Likewise, adaptation of the world?s infrastructure is
necessary, to withstand the impacts of extreme weather events resulting from climate
change.
The North-South gap in science and technology capacity continues to widen.
Governments concerned in the developing world should increase public investments in
education and research and development efforts. North-South and South-South S&T
cooperation, as well as private-public S&T partnerships, should be enhanced
significantly.
Strengthening science, engineering, and technology is also a foundation for industrial
development. However, making industrial development truly clean and sustainable can,
in many contexts pose a significant added financial burden. Developing countries
should receive enhanced support from developed countries, for their efforts to make
recycling and reuse of resources normal practice, as well as for enhancing energy
efficiency in the industrial sector.
As for air pollution, it makes sense to pursue strategies to simultaneously meet air
quality control and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. This goal will be aided
by active dissemination of integrated atmospheric modeling tools, advanced air quality
monitoring and pollution prevention technologies, and information on best practices in
air quality management.
The Scientific and Technological Community is fully committed to work with all
stakeholders concerned in addressing these pressing problems of sustainable
development.
essential for sustainable development. Meeting the world?s growing energy demands
requires the use of all feasible energy resources. At the same time, addressing the
challenge of climate change will require a transition to a low-carbon emission economy.
A critically important point, for all to understand, is that the goal of securing sustainable
energy on a global scale, will only be met if there is strong, sustained support for
research and development efforts, aimed at bringing new, affordable energy
technologies to the market.
The optimal energy mix for any country will depend on many criteria, including the
local resource base and socio-economic context. Thus, each country must explore a
diverse portfolio of options, including energy efficiency, advanced renewable energy
systems, cleaner fossil fuels, carbon sequestration, and advanced safe nuclear energy
systems.
The scientific findings are clear: The IPCC confirmed that climate change is largely
due to human activities, and observational evidence now shows that many natural
systems are already being affected by climate changes. We have a short window of
opportunity to limit global warming to less than 2°C, which most scientists consider the
limit for keeping climate change from becoming a global catastrophe with huge socioeconomic
costs, and with developing countries being the most vulnerable to harmful
impacts.
More research on understanding climate changes and impacts at regional and local
levels, and strengthening of global observing systems, are urgently required. There is
also a great urgency to adopt policies and to implement measures in both mitigation and
adaptation. Adaptation measures must be a pursued in both developing and developed
countries, in order to reduce the harm from unavoidable climate change -- measures
such as finding solutions for low-lying coastal areas and adjusting agricultural practices
to changing climatological patterns.?Likewise, adaptation of the world?s infrastructure is
necessary, to withstand the impacts of extreme weather events resulting from climate
change.
The North-South gap in science and technology capacity continues to widen.
Governments concerned in the developing world should increase public investments in
education and research and development efforts. North-South and South-South S&T
cooperation, as well as private-public S&T partnerships, should be enhanced
significantly.
Strengthening science, engineering, and technology is also a foundation for industrial
development. However, making industrial development truly clean and sustainable can,
in many contexts pose a significant added financial burden. Developing countries
should receive enhanced support from developed countries, for their efforts to make
recycling and reuse of resources normal practice, as well as for enhancing energy
efficiency in the industrial sector.
As for air pollution, it makes sense to pursue strategies to simultaneously meet air
quality control and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. This goal will be aided
by active dissemination of integrated atmospheric modeling tools, advanced air quality
monitoring and pollution prevention technologies, and information on best practices in
air quality management.
The Scientific and Technological Community is fully committed to work with all
stakeholders concerned in addressing these pressing problems of sustainable
development.