The head of state described climate change as the greatest challenge of our time. “It is destroying homes, ecosystems and livelihoods while creating instability and insecurity,” he remarked, citing the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil as a prime opportunity for progress in curbing climate change. He noted that great strides have been made in clean technology and towards a more sustainable economy in the last 10 years.
President Karis reiterated Estonia’s commitment to international cooperation in order to reduce emissions and curb climate change. “We have achieved significant reductions in recent decades, and will continue along this path,” he said. “Our experience in Estonia shows that a transition to cleaner energy can be made: from our previous dependence on oil shale, we are now generating an increasing proportion of our electricity from renewable sources. We are also working with Finland and Latvia to build new electricity connections to ensure security of supply and increase our use of renewable energy.”
The head of state says that innovation is at the heart of Estonia’s approach. “We are developing smart stormwater systems to reduce the risk of flooding, and implementing digital solutions and responsible AI tools for smart energy, precision agriculture and climate monitoring,” he explained.
Yesterday in New York, President Karis opened a seminar for Estonian-US climate technology companies at which he underscored the role of Estonia’s digital experience in creating smart solutions to mitigate environmental impact and bolster energy security. “Estonia is a flexible digital nation where new technological solutions can be tested quickly and from which innovations just as quickly reach the global market,” he stated. “Our companies are providing solutions for the energy sector, construction and urban development. This seminar shows how Estonia has grown from a fast digital country to a clean technology country.” The head of state stressed that sustainable development is not just an economic opportunity, but also a strategic concern, since clean technologies support energy security and the availability of strategic materials.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, cities account for around 70% of global CO2 emissions, with transport and buildings being the biggest emitters due to their dependence on fossil fuels and energy-intensive infrastructure.
President Karis introduced the Estonian climate technology companies taking part in the seminar – R8 Technologies, Roofit Solar, Primostar, PowerUP Energy Technologies, Parkinglot Category and Beamline Accelerator – which then outlined their innovative solutions and their search for international cooperation partners. The seminar was also attended by the Green Technology Alliance and the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS), which organised the companies’ visit to the United States in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gallery (Office of the President of the Republic/Raigo Pajula): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBuyWV
