I would like to begin by giving you all the warmest welcome to Spain, to this Carbon Expo 2015, the Global Carbon Market Fair and Conference. Once again, the city of Barcelona is proud to host you here for this forum, the most important event worldwide on climate change and the carbon markets. I would like to thank and congratulate the organizers and sponsors for this new edition, and all those present for their participation.
Allow me now a just few words in our two languages, Spanish and Catalan.
Bienvenidos todos a España, a la Conferencia del Mercado Global de Carbono, a esta “Carbon Expo 2015”. La ciudad de Barcelona acoge nuevamente esta convocatoria que representa el evento más importante a nivel mundial en el ámbito del cambio climático y los mercados de carbono. Gracias y felicidades a los organizadores y patrocinadores por esta nueva edición, y a todos los asistentes por su participación.
Carbon Expo es desenvolupa al voltant d'un complet i ambiciós programa i compta amb la participació d'experts de prestigi en canvi climàtic, negociadors internacionals, líders empresarials i responsables polítics de diversos païssos que es reuneixen per intercanviar experiències i donar a conèixer projectes adreçats a aportar solucions a aquest desafiament global. A tots ells, la meva salutació més afectuosa.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing our societies today. But apart from the very significant and serious repercussions it holds for our natural habitats -for the environment per se- at all levels, local, national and global; it also questions or puts at risk the way we are all used to live and operate in socioeconomic terms.
"...The Paris Climate Summit is merely six months away; there, the international community will come together to agree upon the new international climate regime that will deliver a global response to climate change. To this end, all countries, in a framework of solidarity and collaboration within the United Nations, need to make concerted and coordinated efforts. We must all make a commitment, in accordance with our responsibilities and capacities. To achieve the desired results, we need everyone’s cooperation, both in the public and in the private and business sectors, and involving civil society as a whole. The solution is truly up to all of us..."
The current rate of greenhouse gas emissions is already causing grave consequences, jeopardizing the viability of existing societies and the development expectations of a significant proportion of humankind. To curb this process, the scientific community has stated that it will be necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially and in a sustained manner.
Spain -among others- believes that the solutions for this challenge must be global, and we particularly appreciate the need to carry out a transition towards development patterns that are low in emissions, efficient in terms of energy use, and that will enable us to address the problems generated by climate change.
We are convinced that it is possible to achieve this goal without compromising economic growth and job creation. Combating climate change does not mean slowing down economic growth. Quite the opposite, it can be the foundation for sustained and sound future development. We must transform it into a source of opportunities. And, in any case, the cost of inaction undoubtedly surpasses that of action.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Paris Climate Summit is merely six months away; there, the international community will come together to agree upon the new international climate regime that will deliver a global response to climate change. To this end, all countries, in a framework of solidarity and collaboration within the United Nations, need to make concerted and coordinated efforts.
We must all make a commitment, in accordance with our responsibilities and capacities. To achieve the desired results, we need everyone’s cooperation, both in the public and in the private and business sectors, and involving civil society as a whole. The solution is truly up to all of us.
With these brief words, and wishing every success to this important Conference, It is now for me an honour and a great pleasure to declare Carbon Expo 2015 officially opened.
Thank you very much.