World Climate Solutions Conference

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by Alexandra Hayles

The World Climate Solutions Conference took place in Copenhagen on the 29th and 30th of September. The focus was on cities and a number of cases from around the world were presented. The excellent speakers from the public and private sector touched upon diverse subjects that included policy, engineering, architecture, finance, technology and much more. The Danish Government' s commitment to converting the production of energy in Denmark to renewables was encouraging.

Attracting companies for ‘green growth’ and ‘green solutions’ was an opening theme. Though private companies were represented, the importance of the public sector as a driver to reduce carbon as well as energy consumption was emphasized. The two areas highlighted were the push towards an energy infrastructure - South Korea being an impressive example - based on renewables and the upgrading of public infrastructure - such as housing - to reduce energy consumption. Government procurement was seen as a possible way to drive companies to more sustainable manufacturing but the framework to push this forward was not clear. Especially given that the concept of ‘green growth’ still has a long way to go before it can become an integral aspect of the public sector culture.

The government push towards electrical infrastructural project mixes - or smart grids- was seen as stepping over the initial huge investment costs. The rise in fossil fuel costs and increases in demand would make the initial investment in alternative energy as the cheapest strategy in the long-run. A strategy that would also take into account the vital reliability and security of the supply of energy. From a European perspective however, political control over national grids was identified as a possible obstacle to the development of an efficient supply of energy across Europe. Alternative sources of energy such as wind and sun would be most efficiently integrated into a grid that is transnational - to juggle alternating power sources - but given the administrative and political challenges, increasing the build-up of connecting points such as between Ireland and the UK were seen as a good initial and pragmatic option that could lead to a critical mass and the ultimate interconnection of the grid.

Nevertheless, the UK panel session on ‘Building a Smarter Grid’ pointed out that a key technical stumbling block for the creation of a Pan-European grid and the interconnection of power lines, was the setting of standards. A third party-led agreement between producers on the level of DC current going through cables was apparently missing.

The challenging immensity of implementing a smart grid with renewables and the commitment necessary to drive it forward led me to question the lack of discourse on the structures that are needed to enable communities and the private sector to make inroads and gather critical mass. The impression from the conference is that the ‘City’ which is viewed as key towards ‘green growth’ was spoken about as being the ‘identity’ of the public sector rather than a place were people, companies and groups can engage with ease.

From my perspective, it would be interesting to explore business models’ financing alternatives and administrative structures that could facilitate the interplay of actors. the City as a playing field, a place of knowledge and resources. Discussions on the types of financial instruments that could help to support local communities and business was not available, in contrast with the public sector ESCO business model - used to reduce energy consumption and financed through energy savings. Furthermore, the ‘sexyness’ of technology seems to be overpowering, providing little space for the integration of low technological solutions that play a crucial role in the path towards green growth. To their credit, Copenhagen City Council has made the decision to green the city - including the roof tops. I am just intrigued to know how they are planning to integrate urban forestry and agriculture with the private sector and social innovation options.

There is much information but the sentences are still missing if we are to shift from an oil tanker economy to a sailing boat ‘green growth’. Many exciting business opportunities lie between the lines, the borders between public/private resource management and the needs of citizens and a quality of life. As concluded by Claus Meyer Founder of Restaurant Noma and the New Nordic Cuisine movement, it is about people, honesty and values.