viii
Foreword
justice and level of responsibility. If we measure temperature increase from the
time of the Industrial Revolution up to now, why should we not identify those who
generated said increase from that time onward?
Fighting global warming must be not only an aspiration but also an obligation.
This means that we must leave great ideas and attitudes aside and speak of money.
Therefore, beyond any discussion of practical philosophy and metaphysics, what we
cannot put in monetary terms will not have any impact. What we cannot explain
in figures and economics will be a noble intention by people of goodwill, aspiring
to protect the planet. I am not objecting to this vocational attitude, but it belongs
to the civil society and nonprofit organizations. As regards public policy, what is
not profitable is ineffective. In other words, so long as we do not turn profitable
into sustainable, the search for sustainable development will continue to be just a
testimonial attitude. Therefore, economic and environmental issues are the same
thing. Governments need academic and scientific arguments to make the market
rules change. However, if we talk about market rules, we also have to talk about
incentives: rewards and punishments. Rewards and punishments not only in terms
of “you pollute, you pay,” but also in that nobody will be willing to carry out a
business that does not fit the sustainability criteria, because that business will not be
cost-effective.
Non-tariff barriers to trade also play a role. Climate policies will end up as a
non-tariff barrier to trade. Therefore, we must adapt to the sustainability criteria;
otherwise, we will be out of the international market. We want to remain in this
market, but under our own parameters. We are not willing to accept any restrictions
by third parties based on models that do not fit us. Our scientists and experts must
participate in the global discussions with models that fit our economy. We do not
want, for example, to measure our cows’ emissions based on the criterion adopted
in Europe, because our production system is different. Instead of taking external
standards or values, we want to apply our own resources: our people. We also want
a serious discussion. To attain this, Argentina must be consistent and predictable,
and our position has to be validated by data. And all this has to be done without
changing the order, as changing the order may, in this case, change the product.
Decisions must be based on previous academic and scientific measurements and
evaluations, and not political preconceptions. This may lead us to uncertain scenarios
because open, honest, and sincere discussions based on data generate turbulence.
Nonetheless, this discussion is welcome, as it leaves aside non-validated judgments
and prejudgments. This is why our government has high expectations that universities
will contribute with forums and discussions to consolidate the parameters on which
policy discussions should be based.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sergio Bergman
Minister of the Environment and Sustainable
Development (December 2015–September 2018)
Foreword
justice and level of responsibility. If we measure temperature increase from the
time of the Industrial Revolution up to now, why should we not identify those who
generated said increase from that time onward?
Fighting global warming must be not only an aspiration but also an obligation.
This means that we must leave great ideas and attitudes aside and speak of money.
Therefore, beyond any discussion of practical philosophy and metaphysics, what we
cannot put in monetary terms will not have any impact. What we cannot explain
in figures and economics will be a noble intention by people of goodwill, aspiring
to protect the planet. I am not objecting to this vocational attitude, but it belongs
to the civil society and nonprofit organizations. As regards public policy, what is
not profitable is ineffective. In other words, so long as we do not turn profitable
into sustainable, the search for sustainable development will continue to be just a
testimonial attitude. Therefore, economic and environmental issues are the same
thing. Governments need academic and scientific arguments to make the market
rules change. However, if we talk about market rules, we also have to talk about
incentives: rewards and punishments. Rewards and punishments not only in terms
of “you pollute, you pay,” but also in that nobody will be willing to carry out a
business that does not fit the sustainability criteria, because that business will not be
cost-effective.
Non-tariff barriers to trade also play a role. Climate policies will end up as a
non-tariff barrier to trade. Therefore, we must adapt to the sustainability criteria;
otherwise, we will be out of the international market. We want to remain in this
market, but under our own parameters. We are not willing to accept any restrictions
by third parties based on models that do not fit us. Our scientists and experts must
participate in the global discussions with models that fit our economy. We do not
want, for example, to measure our cows’ emissions based on the criterion adopted
in Europe, because our production system is different. Instead of taking external
standards or values, we want to apply our own resources: our people. We also want
a serious discussion. To attain this, Argentina must be consistent and predictable,
and our position has to be validated by data. And all this has to be done without
changing the order, as changing the order may, in this case, change the product.
Decisions must be based on previous academic and scientific measurements and
evaluations, and not political preconceptions. This may lead us to uncertain scenarios
because open, honest, and sincere discussions based on data generate turbulence.
Nonetheless, this discussion is welcome, as it leaves aside non-validated judgments
and prejudgments. This is why our government has high expectations that universities
will contribute with forums and discussions to consolidate the parameters on which
policy discussions should be based.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sergio Bergman
Minister of the Environment and Sustainable
Development (December 2015–September 2018)