Global spotlight on global warming

Climate change should not be ignored during economic development, said experts and business leaders during the 2014 Boao Forum for Asia on April 9.

"Climate change is really happening. If human beings don't stop greenhouse emissions, the global GDP will reach a reduction of 0.2 percent to 2 percent, which is huge loss for the world," said Qin Dahe, former chairman of the China National Meteorological Administration during a panel discussion.

Olof Persson, president and chief executive officer of the Volvo Group, a leading manufacturer of trucks, buses and construction equipment, agreed.

He said the development of the environment, society and economy should be sustainable to ensure future generations continue to reduce energy consumption.

"As a supplier of transport solutions, we are part of the problem and we also want to become a part of solution for the climate change issue," he said.

He said scientists and politicians should get involved as technologies needed to be commercialized on a large scale to have effect.

According to the Volvo group its hybrid power buses saved up to 60 percent of energy consumption in testing.

Thomas Piquemal, chief financial officer of Electricite de France SA, a Paris-based electronic utility company, said to cope with climate change companies have to turn to low-carbon development, which requires huge investment.

"Local governments need to provide stability for investors," he said. "For example, the British government promised us long-term contracts to ensure that we can invest in nuclear industry in the country."

He said EDF has already raised 40 billion euros ($55.18 billion) for projects that can benefit climate change.

In addition to companies' behavior and governmental measures, Zhang Yue, chairman and president of the Broad Group, said people needed to change their concept of economic development and climate change.

"We need to stop taking GDP growth or consumption increase as our basic goal. Otherwise, it's meaningless to discuss about climate change," he said.

He was the only Chinese businessman who attended the panel discussion, titled new findings on climate change, and he stopped using his private plane eight years ago for environmental reasons.

dujuan@chinadaily.com.cn