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Alison
Curtis, Intern -
This
year’s Bridges China Dialogue organized by the International Centre for
Sustainable Development focused on China and its role in sustainable
development. All panelists and
experts acknowledged China’s massive growth and potential, and stressed
the importance for it to be a key leader in an era of what was referred to
as an ecological revolution. Many
were optimistic for the China’s future due to the government’s massive
intervention and close attention to climate change.
Experts recommended that China invest in the service sector, human
resources, and infrastructure spending and to emphasize in domestic
consumption to ensure a more sustainable economy.
They stressed the importance for China to work together and make
bilateral agreements with the US and EU, as international cooperation
provides huge prospects. However,
it was suggested that China acknowledge the negotiation process of Europeans
and the need to act quickly at the beginning of a deal in order to close it.
Unusually, China was repeatedly
referred to as a developing country, particularly by the Chinese themselves,
despite many perceiving it as a developed country today.
Chinese representatives also complained about the lack of equality in
the WTO as its regulations were created by the US and EU.
World
Trade Organization
Director General Pascal Lamy made a keynote address in which stressed that
trade opening through domestic policies is vital to the health of the global
economy. His frustration with
the Doha Round was apparent as he explained that developing countries are
pushing for its conclusion, while the developed countries are “dragging
their feet.”
Experts
predicted that the world will face an ultimatum—either continue on a path
of violence and decline or delve into a journey towards sustainability.
The American consumer was condemned for the financial crisis, due to
its over-leveraging that led to a “credit crunch” or withdrawal of
credit. The US dollar was criticized
for being the sole reserve currency, it was stated that relying on a single
country’s currency is the root cause of the problem.
Experts claimed that a global disaster is inevitable when the value
of a single reserve currency decreased, and therefore suggested the need for
a progression towards a plethora of currencies.
The potential for China’s currency, the Renminbi, was expressed,
but that it would still need to become more flexible.
Panelists criticized the G20 for dodging global finance as well as
governments being reluctant in removing subsidies.
Many commented on the need for countries to be committed to developing green
energy through strong policies, advanced technology R&D, appropriate
funding and international cooperation. China is focusing on alternative
energy in the form of hydro power, wind power and biomass. While panelists
acknowledged that the demand for coal will continue through the 21st
century, they emphasized the focus on clean technology and energy
efficiency. Energy conservation was declared the obvious and logical choice
for sustainable development and experts stressed the importance of improving
technologies and changing lifestyles. Experts expressed that climate change
should be addressed environmentally and scientifically, not taking into
account economic growth considerations. Parallel to other symposia and
dialogues, it was echoed that a strong agreement is needed from the Doha
Round and from Copenhagen, and that no agreement would be better than a weak
one. It was even said that if Copenhagen fails, it will be the fault of the
participants because there is no excuse—we have the will, technology,
money, and knowledge necessary for success. Concern was raised on the
agreement of caps on CO2 emissions as it is predicted that the European
Union will push for bold and binding emissions reductions while the US will
oppose such actions. While China was recognized for its progress thus far,
it was articulated that China must step up and play a leading role in global
governance.
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Geneva
Social Observatory, 220 Route de Ferney, 1218 Le
Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland
Telephone
+41 22 734 9601 Fax +41 22 734 9602 E-mail contact@gsogeneva.ch
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