The CEO of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, highlighted this Thursday, December 12, during his participation in the Climate Summit (COP25), that companies are called to play a fundamental role in the transition to a decarbonized economy in the middle of this century, to ensure that this is fair and is carried out from public-private collaboration.
At the beginning of the day entitled ‘Business commitment for a just transition and decent green jobs’He recalled that CEOE has been attending the climate summits as an observer for a decade and bringing the voice of the private sector to the negotiations.
In this sense, he stressed that, from the business perspective, "climate change exists and is something that is not debatable, because scientists say so." When facing the transition to a carbon neutral economy in the middle of this century, as established by the Paris Agreement, it is necessary to “put people and the environment at the center of things, and make it a goal of everyone".
To do this, he explained that It is essential to assume this challenge from public-private collaboration, as dictated by the objective of sustainable development of United Nations number 17, which speaks of the need to weave alliances to meet the 2030 Agenda.
In this regard, he recalled that the CEOE signed an agreement a year ago with the Ministry for Ecological Transition to ensure that this energy transition is done in a fair way and fostering quality jobs.
More innovation and training
On the part of the companies, Garamendi has assured that "Spain is prepared for that transition because it has the best energy and technology companies." However, he recalled that it is necessary to raise the budget line dedicated to innovation from the current 1.4% of GDP to 3% recommended by the Lisbon agreements.
The CEOE CEO also recalled that training is another fundamental element to carry out these transformations successfully and has claimed a leading role of companies in the governance of this training.
The Minister of Labor herself, Magdalena Valerio, has stressed that the fight against climate change can be an engine of growth for companies and for the generation of quality employment, and, in this sense, it has valued public collaboration. private In this process, he has also stressed the importance of training and the key position of companies to diagnose the needs of the labor market.
Meanwhile, Segib's secretary, Rebeca Grynspan, has called to overcome climate denialism and has emphasized the opportunity of the current moment of transition to bet on new business ideas and new markets.
Finally, the CEO of Endesa, José D. Bogas, has assured that the companies are very aware of the need to carry out a fair energy transition that seeks alternatives to the workers who are at the center of these changes.
CEOE at COP25
CEOE has been present at the Climate Summit since the beginning, as it has been doing since 2011, participating as an observer and being present in panels and debates to offer the vision of companies in the face of climate change.
As a result of this activity, this year it has been incorporated into the forum of business organizations of the main global economies to face all these challenges (BizMEF), whose meeting was hosted at its headquarters, on December 8.
Currently, CEOE collaborates with the Ministry for Ecological Transition by launching the initiative called ‘Advancing a fair transition and creating green jobs for all’.
Last September he presented it at the climate action summit convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations, in which the commitment of leadership by the private sector was clear.
At that summit, Spain was commissioned by the UN Secretary General to lead, along with Peru, the coalition of social and political promoters, in which this fair transition initiative is framed.
CEOE already has more than 100 companies and sectoral and territorial associations attached, with which it has committed to work together and to analyze annually the advances that are produced.