Mayors say private money is the answer
Governor Schwarzenegger impressed Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard with his enthusiasm (Photo: Pamela Juhl)California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the president of the World Bank and head of the Virgin group encourage sustainable growth
by Katie Rice
Leading business leaders joined mayors prior to the conclusion of the Climate Summit for Mayors at Copenhagen City Hall yesterday to herald the benefits for public-private partnership in funding sustainability projects.
During a panel debate with notable figures from the world of aviation, banking and economics, mayors debated the need for innovative partnerships between cities and the private sector to push forward sustainable projects.
Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group spoke to the assembled delegates and encouraged mayors to run their cities like “great companies”. He advised local governments to copy the actions of companies and look for the gaps in the marketplace – and for cities, that presents an opportunity for retrofitting existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient.
And Branson’s ‘pull yourself up by the bootstraps’ approach to business is influencing his views on the climate conference and he advocates continuing with climate initiatives even if an agreement cannot be reached tomorrow.
“This week, if governments do not come to a resolution then I think it’s up to businesses to actually force through resolutions to this issue,” Branson said, adding that he believed the shipping and aviation industries need to set necessary targets themselves in addition to any legislative text.
He continued that industry needs to find imaginative ways of reaching targets, much in the same way that cities need to find imaginative ways of engaging the private sector.
Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank President, highlighted the effective utilisation of private institutions as a method of leveraging funds for climate adaptation.
The World Bank previously lent $300m to Thailand as part of the climate development fund and the Thai authorities earmarked $70 million for an urban project in Bangkok. Of these funds, about 30 percent was leveraged from the private sector.
“The basic lessons of development are that it won’t work without local support,” Zoellick said.
And for the media man of the hour?
Well Governor Schwarzenegger was quick to pass the floor and the credit to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, where a concerted effort to replace some 5100 old diesel trucks at the LA seaport has reduced truck emissions by 70 percent.
But Schwarzenegger was also keen to lead by example. The man famous for his Hummers as much as his muscles and political clout, refitted his three gas guzzling vehicles to run on hydrogen, biofuel and the third being converted to a hybrid.
He also revealed how he now uses solar power to heat his home pool and jacuzzi, which his children should enjoy while they can, because according to the governor, they are only allowed to take five minute showers to conserve water.
He praised the grassroots movement for driving the climate debate and said more should be encouraged to get involved.
“You’ve got to make to whole thing hip for them to fight climate change.”
