Accelerating Climate Change Mitigation: Policy Statements on the Road to Sharm-El-Sheikh and Beyond

by Bruce Murray, Professor and Director of Illinois in Vienna Programs, retired.

As I write these lines in June 2022, the annual Bonn Climate Conference has convened to lay the groundwork for success at COP 27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh. The European Union (EU) Parliament is voting on eight pieces of the “Fit for 55” package. United States (US) Senators Schumer and Manchin strive to salvage climate change measures from the apparently failed Build Back Better Act, and the Biden administration seeks to compensate for legislative shortcomings with significant executive action. Meanwhile, the world climate clock keeps ticking. The World Meteorological Organization now estimates that the global temperature increase could overshoot 1.5 degrees Celsius before 2026.

Against that backdrop, 12 students from North America, South America, Europe, and Asia offer their policy statements for accelerating climate change mitigation with big bold action in the EU, US, and globally. They focus our attention on geo-political, technical, sectoral, as well as other approaches, proposing action capable of helping us to turn the corner on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. Their proposals deserve our close attention.

In the context of their work in a course on EU and US Climate Change Mitigation during the spring of 2022 at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, these guest experts expanded the students’ knowledge base and provided invaluable insights:

• Christina Voigt, UNFCCC PAICC Co-Chair (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)
• Andreas Beckmann, WWF CEE CEO (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)
• Günter Hörmandinger, EUC Secretariat General Senior Expert (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)
• Stephan Renner, Austrian Ministry for Climate Action Cabinet Member (slide presentation)
• Claudia Kettner, Austrian Institute of Economic Research Senior Economist (slide presentations on carbon pricing and climate policy)
• Barry Rabe, Brookings Institution Non-Resident Senior Fellow (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)
• Sally Burgess, Sierra Club Illinois Downstate Lead Organizing Representative (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)
• Dawn Dannenbring, Illinois People’s Action Lead Organizer (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)
• Rev. Tony Pierce, Illinois People’s Action Board President (slide presentation; video recording can be found in the EU Center's Video Library, under 2021-22 Recordings)

So, too, did field study visits at select sites where state of the art renewable energy and energy conservation projects exemplify the potential for catalyzing climate change mitigation.

• Vienna University of Economics and Business campus (slide presentation)
• Aspern Smart City (slide presentation)
• Wien Energie Waste Incineration Plant (slide presentation)

Interacting collaboratively, the students developed their policy statements from topic selection to thesis statement, abstract, outline, oral presentation, written draft, and final text. Along the way, they discussed and considered options to cross-reference each other’s work. Their ultimate goal has been a package that attracts the attention of decision makers and can make a meaningful difference in achieving the Paris Agreement goals. The results appear in four categories:

• Global, Regional, and Local Change
• Accelerating E-mobility
• Road to Rail for Freight and Passengers
• Expanding Hydropower and Regenerative Ocean Farming

Policy statements in the first category challenge us to pursue transformational change at all levels of human interaction. Kaan Taşlı asserts: Where we have focused on climate change symptoms, we must focus more on systemic social causes and change systems. For Julia De Miguel Bergaz, success with the Paris Agreement’s transformational goals depends on the combined efforts of supranational entities, NGOs, and the public. Micaela Palacios advocates for the synergistic potential of collaboration between the UNFCCC, OECD, and the International Energy Agency to catalyze the shift to renewable energy in developing economies. Michael Gillesberger promotes the next generation of EU emissions trading as a best practice to be adopted globally. And Rogier Weegink identifies the potential for grassroots initiatives to turn the corner on GHG emissions.

The proponents of e-mobility as a climate change mitigation catalyst cite transport as a leading cause of GHG emissions. David Mader looks to the EU as a model for accelerating the transition to electric vehicles with education, incentives, and renewable sources for the electricity e-mobily requires. Adam Foster focuses on the US and, like Mr. Mader, sees subsidies and awareness building as keys to success. He also looks to government initiatives as a powerful source for scaling up the necessary charging infrastructure. Selin Yüksel draws attention to the need for more effective battery recycling, identifies related challenges, and, referring foremost to EU programs, proposes methods to meet them quickly.

The impressive energy efficiency of rail transport motivates the policy recommendations in the next category. Thomas Strahlhofer views work on a Single European Rail Network as central to increasing rail freight transport quickly. Akinaro Sato proposes EU initiatives to expand high speed rail to accomplish the same for passenger transport. Both offer recommendations capable of being replicated in other advanced economies, not least of all in the United States.

The final category seeks to harness water’s potential. Kurt Bauer highlights the efficiency and untapped potential of hydropower to encourage its expansion in the EU, US, and globally. Samantha Goldberg does the same for regenerative ocean farming, noting its food, carbon sink, and jobs potential, tool.

As you read the policy statements, consider other options to group them. Also, contemplate the effect of implementing their proposals by 2030. Above all, use them as a catalyst for your own recommendations for the big and bold action we need now!

Posted in: Bruce Murray,Climate change,climate policy,EURO 199,European Union