Executive Summary 1-25.11.08

LDN/08/2.1 25th November 2008

Programme on a New Path for World Development Managing the Interconnected Challenges of Climate Change, Energy Security, Ecosystems and Water Policy Dialogue Palace of Westminster, London, 26th and 27th January, 2009

Preliminary Executive Summary

1. A Policy Dialogue will be convened by GLOBE International and the Club of Rome in the Palace of Westminster, London on 26th and 27th January 2009, bringing together Legislators from the G8+5 countries with Club of Rome Members and scientists and experts from around the world. 2. The discussions will draw on the results of an international conference of the Club of Rome which was held on 6th and 7th November in Winterthur, Canton of Zurich, on the topic: “Managing the Interconnected Challenges of Climate Change, Energy Security, Ecosystems and Water.” 3. The conclusions of the first meeting in Mexico City on 22nd and 23rd November of the “International Commission on Land Use Change and Ecosystems” established by the G8 + 5 through GLOBE International will also be taken into account. 4.

The aims of the Dialogue are: a. To consider updated scientific and expert assessments on each of the issues and their policy implications; b. To identify policy-relevant connections between climate, energy, ecosystems and water issues and between these and issues of economic recovery and financial system reform; c. To identify choices, risks, contradictions and opportunities relevant to policy and to international negotiations; d. To suggest lines of policy and action for further development.

Lagerhausstrasse 9, 8400 Winterthur Tel: +41 (0)52/244 08 08, Fax: +41 (0)52/244 08 09

[email protected] www.clubofrome.org

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5. The Dialogue will be based on short presentations and on a Background Note, (LDN/08/3 with Annexes.) 6. Intensive scientific research and policy analysis is in progress across the world on the individual issues to be discussed. The Club of Rome, through its international membership and National Associations, is therefore concentrating its efforts on improving our understanding of the systemic nature of the challenges we face, on identifying and clarifying the policy implications of the connections between the issues, on the assessment of risks, and on the development of proposals for action in a longer term, strategic perspective. 7. The Club has completed a rapid process of reorganisation. It has launched a three year programme of international research and consultation to define the elements of “A New Path for World Development.” It will, within a coherent overall framework, examine a series of clusters of issues: Climate, Energy, Ecosystems and Water, November 2008; Globalisation, economic strategy and finance, April 2009; International Development/MDGs, October 2009; Social Transformation, February 2010; and Peace and Security, July 2010. The Programme will conclude with a major international event in October 2010. 8. It is planned that GLOBE International and the Club of Rome will collaborate to prepare a session of the Annual Meeting of the G8 + 5 Legislators in June 2010, to examine the connections between the issues related to climate/energy/ecosystems/water and the issues related to financial system reform and strategies for economic growth. 9: The key conclusions of the Winterthur meeting which will be considered in the London Dialogue are: 1.

Recent evidence from across the world implies that radical measures must be taken urgently to avert the risks of runaway climate change.

2.

The world is headed into a perfect storm of interconnected environmental and other crises. A forward assessment of emerging threats demonstrates that business as usual and incremental improvement will not be sufficient.

3.

Besides negotiating longer term targets, mechanisms and capacities must be established to implement early action.

4.

A new path of economic and social progress must be adopted which is compatible with the environmental imperatives and limits of the planet.

5.

The financial crisis and the consequent economic slowdown provide an exceptional opportunity to move towards new patterns of more sustainable and equitable growth.

6.

The scale and depth of the challenges ahead will demand new ideas, new partnerships, new mechanisms and radical institutional change.

7.

There is a deep need across the world for a positive vision to provide hope for the future.