Abu Dhabi: Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on Tuesday warned that climate changes are a main threat for all countries and that there should be effective solutions globally to keep economic processes going ahead.
Speaking at a keynote address on the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, President De Kirchner blamed the developed countries for the high rates of carbon emissions.
“There are some countries which know more than others the repercussions of climate changes which would adversely affect some islands,” said President De Kirchner, adding that “there are some complexities which form challenges amongst the international community.”
She called on maintaining economic growth and progress but with no more harmful emissions which damage the environment.
“The rich and developed countries consume high volume of energy which does not match sustainability. In these countries, individuals consume energy 14 times more than the people in poor countries and that emission rates in the developed nations are 11.3 tonnes per capita, 20 times more than the consumption of individuals in poor countries,” said the president.
She called on justice and fair treatment while preparing solutions for the current carbon emission rates
“Energy should be available for all the people. In order to eradicate and eliminate poverty, there is no sound environment for tackling this issue as long as there are poor nations,” stressed the president of Argentina.
“To be fair in this regard, there should be fair distribution of energy and power to safeguard and secure sustainable economic development to reach better living conditions,” she elaborated.
President De Kirchner said: “We need more than $1 trillion of investments worldwide to secure energy for all the people,” pointing out that “it is a must for all states to cooperate to reduce emissions as it is an international responsibility.”
She said that Latin American countries are responsible for only 5 per cent of world emissions, calling on the developed nations, which are responsible for the majority of such emissions to play a pivotal role as per their level of energy consumption.
“Argentine has become the first biofuel producer worldwide,” said Kirchner, stressing the need for legislations and regulations to limit emissions and to increase efficiency uses of energy.
“From this venue, I call on economic support of renewable energy projects which are the solution of the world of tomorrow,” she added.
“The role of governments has become clear though some countries had tried to eliminate any government involvement in the economy. This option proved to be wrong and unsound.. When the financial crisis hit the world, the private sector could not handle this issue. Therefore, there have to be public-private partnerships to face any economic fluctuations,” the president pointed out.
In Argentina, 22 per cent of the energy used is generated from renewables, she said, pointing out to the agreement she signed on Sunday with the UAE government in terms of nuclear cooperation to generate power since her country is a pioneer in nuclear energy.
