The UK Foreign Minister for Latin America has spoken of the shared responsibility between Britain and Colombia to act on climate change for global prosperity and security.
During a five day visit to the region Jeremy Browne discussed the UK and South America’s shared challenges on climate change. In a keynote speech he highlighted how climate change impacts on all aspects of life.
‘Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating social security problems and limiting individual prosperity and human rights,’ he said.
At a breakfast meeting with officials in he discussed the need to lower energy consumption and improve environmental standards domestically and work together internationally to push the climate change negotiations.
‘By continuing our long tradition of partnership and co-operation the United Kingdom and Colombia can work together to tackle some of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change, foremost among those, but also promoting global economic prosperity as well as drugs and crime,’ he explained.
He said both countries have considerable expertise with the UK regarded as an international hub for low carbon expertise and innovation on carbon trading, while Columbia has a history of global leadership on climate change and an excellent track record of making positive changes domestically.
‘The UK can help organisations in Colombia to structure and finance low carbon projects effectively,’ he said, adding that he was impressed at the amount of renewable electricity used in Colombia.
‘Key sectors to Colombia’s economy, such as mining and agriculture will be hit if climate change continues unabated, but action on climate change mitigation will lead to economic opportunity and reward. In short: tackling climate change makes good business sense,’ he said.
To help renewable energy sectors he said certainty in government climate change policy is needed. ‘It is essential that governments put in place policies which offer long term certainty to business who make those future low carbon investments,’ he added.
The UK is the largest foreign investor in Colombia after the US, with investments in excess of US$18 billion. UK companies are particularly active in the oil and gas, mining, pharmaceutical and insurance sectors.
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