Climate policy leaders meet in Tallinn

Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Photo: Johannes Jansson/norden.org Photo: Johannes Jansson/norden.org

Shortly before the UN climate conference to be held in Warsaw, climate policy makers and top scientists meet on 23 and 24 October in Tallinn to discuss the effects of climate change and ways to mitigate them in the Nordic and Baltic countries.

"No serious state can simply ignore the subject of climate change – its effect on our quality of life and the world's economy is just too overwhelming. To come up with a reasonable climate strategy, we need to take into account, on the one hand, the most up-to-date and precise scientific information and, on the other, economic and social aspects. I'm very glad that we have been able to bring to Tallinn experts who are absolute leaders in their field: with their help, we are going to tackle this complicated issue and direct the climate debate in Estonia in a more meaningful and science-based direction," commented Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Estonia.

A top-level conference "Climate from the Nordic-Baltic perspective: science, politics and economy" will be held on 23 and 24 October in Tallinn. Keynote speakers are Simon Upton, Environment Director at the OECD, and Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen, leading climate scientist. Also, ministers of the environment from Estonia, Finland and Sweden will participate in the discussion session.

"Managing and adapting to climate change has an effect on all people and it forces states to change their policies. However, the Nordic countries strongly believe, drawing on their experience, that climate policy and the economy are not incompatible notions, but rather hold out a new opportunity for us – that of a green economy. But the decisions of just one country are not sufficient. Regional co-operation is vital, because economic activities and the climate policy influence other countries as well," said Berth Sundström, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia.

Artur Runge-Metzger, lead EU negotiator on climate issues, will cover the future of the EU's climate policy and Erika Jorgensen from the World Bank will discuss the subject from an economic viewpoint. Individual sessions are dedicated to the effects of climate change on forests and agriculture, as well as on planning and construction. Also, a workshop on climate science has been organised.

Policy makers, businessmen, government officials, experts, scientists, NGOs, journalists and all other interested parties are welcome to visit the event.

Click here to read more on the conference, view the conference programme and registering before 10 October!

The conference is organised by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Estonia, the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia, Stockholm Environment Institute in Tallinn and the Institute of Communication of Tallinn University.

Contacts:
Madis Tilga
Adviser of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia
Tel: +372 627 3103
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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