Investments in Reducing CO² Emissions on a National Level

Dobbe Boogaerts

Oct 13, 20194 min read

GCS is part of the services I deliver as a freelance-consultant, advisor and entrepreneur.

13 October 2019, 9:10

On the 8th of May 2019 I’ve formulated strategic advice for Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic. The framework below is provided as a one-time free Government Counseling Service (GCS); it contains key components for rational policymaking.

Since it is a free service, the advice is not extensively substantiated. However it touches various important domains in regards to countering climate change.This mainframe can contribute to strategic mid- and long-term benefits for the European Regions. Essentially it bowls down to the following core elements:

1. Free public transportation

The first radical investment towards a more climate-friendly France and by extension Europe should be in public transportation (busses, trains and metros). Multimodality facilitates a better distribution of transport. More people can be transported in public vehicles for less CO² emissions. Less cars on the road lead to less traffic jams which benefits the overall economy. Smaller benefits are eco-friendly driving, more solidarity and social cohesion.

Public transport needs to become the transport of choice for long distances. If free transport is not possible, prices must be applied according to the principle of regressive taxes. A wise investment of France would be to transition towards free public bus, metro and train transportation and support other countries in transitioning towards free public transportation. Partnerships with neighbouring countries can offer potential economies of scale.

E-transportations (e-bikes, e-scooters, segways etc.) and regular bikes which I’d like to refer to as Flextransportation needs to become the transport of choice for short to medium distances. Flextransportation can be promoted through omnichannel marketing (social media, TV and other content driven mediums and devices) making it more appealing to young people. The government can play an enabling role by giving direct tax benefits to customers of e-bikes, other e-vehicles and regular bikes or by giving tax benefits through employers.

2. Multimodality

In combination with large investments towards free public transportation, all e-transportation means need to be supported if not government sponsored directly or through employers. Electric bikes, scooters and segways are the means of transportation for the cities of the future. Thus investments in proper road infrastructure i.e. Copenhagen should be made (cycle paths, cycle highways). Copenhagen serves as a nice example.

3. Energy Cooperatives and Community Farms

The government must encourage individuals to set up Energy Cooperatives. This can be achieved through education, financial support and pilot projects. When the amount of Energy Cooperatives increases, energy companies will more take on the role of a Service Provider. Schools can offer suitable locations to lay down Energy Cooperatives for the local communities and the broader city. The Energy Cooperatives can serve multiple functions, it is ideal for students to learn, apply and gain knowledge by studying the technology in an active manner.

The Intelligent Energy Programme from the European Commission needs to lay ground in small communities, villages and cities. Furthermore to increase energy efficiency, local initiatives and larger Energy Cooperatives need to be integrated in Smart Grids.

Local and Regional Governments can make Community Gardening possible. This offers a wide range of benefits. The farms functions as CO² Purification Sites in major cities. Local non-profit economies (SME) are stimulated and communities are brought together. The interdependence and reliance of humans to the ecosystem is brought to the urban foreground, inspiring young minds to develop an ecological worldview.

Foodtank.com (August, 2018). Getting Creative – How City Farmers Find Space to Do Their Jobs

4. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology that can capture up to 90% of the Carbon Dioxide (CO²) Emissions produced from the use of Fossil Fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere (Carbon Capture and Storage Association, 2019).

5. One day no meat and fish Consumption a week

The human consumption of meat and fish is one of the main causes why our race has such large Ecological Footprint. To protect our planet and to stand together with the poor we should not consume meat and fish once a week. This is the least we can do.

Graph provided by Our World in Data (2019). - https://ourworldindata.org/

In collaboration with existing and future organisations products, services and applications should be invented to create value for the European community, solving problems and creating new possibilities. Through investments in newer technologies such as AI, machine learning i.e. deep learning, AI, AR cloud-computing and yet unknown future technologies Europe will take on a leading role in the digital transformation.

'Digital Transformation is the novel use of digital technology to solve traditional problems. These digital solutions enable inherently new types of innovation and creativity, rather than simply enhance and support traditional methods' (Wikepedia 2019).

The advice and solutions which are delivered through GCS are not extensively backed up by scientific data. My approach lies different than most other researchers,

In contrary to scientists, I provide key ideas and realistic strategic approaches which in turn will lead to sustainable growth while there still is plenty of room left for the decision-making of business owners, policymakers, political parties, governments and (global) leaders.