CoP28: Bold Vision for Sustainable Prosperity
In this insightful opinion, Jane Kinya, the Community Ecological Governance and Gender Coordinator at ABN, navigates Bertrand Piccard’s transformative CoP28 speech. Unveiling a path where modernization propels economic growth intertwined with environmental stewardship—a blueprint for a thriving future.
Our existence on this planet is rooted in the concept of reciprocity—giving and taking respectfully, sharing and being shared with, caring and being cared for, acting and interacting. This underscores the essential need for a mutually enhancing relationship to sustain life on Earth. Failure to uphold this balance disrupts the harmony of nature, leading to global crises like climate change.
This predicament is closely tied to the anthropocentric worldview of human communities, creating unprecedented challenges in sustaining all life forms. The prevailing industrial system has fostered an exploitative relationship with nature, treating it merely as a “resource” for human benefit. Extractive industries and multinational corporations increasingly commodify the natural world, disrupting interactions between people and severing the intrinsic connection between humanity and nature.
The ideology of development perpetuates a capitalist consumer economy, eroding local economies and influencing modern elements such as media and education to drive a lifestyle centered on material wealth. To address the core of this issue, a paradigm shift is imperative. We must build confidence, decolonize our minds, and cultivate independence in our thinking, actions, and development, rooted in the laws of an orderly universe.
Since the adoption of the Convention on UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, global efforts on climate change have considered multifaceted perspectives, with promising highlights emerging in CoP28 negotiations.
In the dynamic arena of climate action, a transformative perspective is gaining traction in CoP28 negotiations, extending beyond the traditional focus on decarbonization. This article delves into Bertrand Piccard’s speech at the COP28 Summit in Dubai, UAE, last year—a speech that harmonizes economic prosperity with environmental stewardship, transcending traditional boundaries.
A paradigm shift toward sustainable prosperity and cultural preservation
Bertrand Piccard’s message unveils economic opportunities intricately woven into modernization. Beyond environmental responsibility, he emphasizes how adopting cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices is a potent catalyst for job creation, economic growth, and industry innovation. Piccard’s discourse centers on efficiency, waste reduction, and the economic benefits of modernization. His speech navigates the economic imperative, urging a departure from the conventional climate narrative and encouraging a language tailored for capitalists and pragmatists. Bertrand Piccard stands as a living testament to the economic advantages deeply connected to modernization. His transformative narrative advocates for a departure from conventional climate discourse, positioning modernization not just as a means but as an end in itself. In this paradigm, decarbonization becomes an organic outcome of our collective pursuit of efficiency and profitability, benefiting future generations with new jobs, industries, and unprecedented opportunities.
As the carbon market gains currency, a stark reality persists—the underrepresentation of indigenous communities, rural women, and forest communities in climate and environmental decision-making. Their experiences, knowledge, and priorities are often overlooked, leading to less effective solutions that could otherwise preserve their ecosystems and cultures. The commodification of carbon offsetting poses a threat, potentially undermining the efforts of rural women and indigenous communities, exacerbating gender and economic injustices.
Moreover, we must embrace innovation and modernization while prioritizing the rights of those affected. By becoming agents of change, rooted in cultural knowledge systems and practices, we can prevent ecocide and further fragmentation of vulnerable communities. Let us oppose evictions and displacements for projects generating carbon credits that primarily benefit others. Aligning modernization with equity and cultural preservation allows us to create a healthier planet for all.