Green Growth

Please see below for the draft conference program

Objective
This conference seeks to foster a dialogue on challenges associated with the transition to a less energy intensive, low-carbon economy. Best practices will be presented which support green growth, create new jobs and thus increase the competitiveness of economies. The conference will provide a forum for experts from the EU and the US to discuss the prospects for economic modernization compatible with ambitious GHG emission reduction targets. Specific policy recommendations for the energy sector of the Czech Republic will be presented. 

Synopsis
EU-wide, one sector stands out during the economic crisis. The renewable energy industry points to increased turnover and job growth. There are many examples which show that energy efficiency, sustainability and climate protection go hand in hand with economic growth and the creation of new jobs. 

At the international level, these developments have already produced political results. The OECD has presented its Green Growth Strategy, which calls for the elimination of environmentally harmful subsidies, for the incorporation of externalities into price building mechanisms, as well as for funds for research in clean technologies. Many EU member states fund programmes which aim at developing environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies and products that are perceived as drivers of future economic growth.

The Czech Republic and its new government now face the question of how to respond to these trends. This conference aims at discussing specific examples, practices and policies of how green growth is being stimulated in the US and the EU. The Czech Republic, which consumes 50% more energy per unit of GDP than Western EU member states, has an enormous potential in this respect. Therefore the conference will present and discuss specific policy recommendations for the Czech Republic.

Partners of the conference
Hnutí DUHA, Charles University Environment Center, British Council, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, US Embassy, US Embassy, Embassy of Denmark, British Embassy

Under the Auspices of Senator Bedrich Moldan, Parliament of the Czech Republic

Working Languages
English / Czech (simultaneous translation)
Registration: info@boell.cz

Contact
Erik Siegl
Programme Coordinator
Heinrich Böll Stiftung
Opatovická 28, 110 00 Praha
+420 251 814 173, siegl@boell.cz
 
This conference is part of a 2-year program by the Heinrich-Boell-Stiftung's offices in Brussels, Prague and Washington, DC: The Climate Network-Transatlantic Solutions for a Low Carbon Economy. For more information visit our website at www.TheClimateNetwork.org