Priorities for change

Transcription

1 Priorities for change The Shift and coming generations envision the future

2 Foreword Together with the members and partners of The Shift, we want to make the transition towards a more sustainable society and economy. But what exactly should our society and economy look like in 2030, when the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be realised? And which path should we follow in the coming years to get there? In 2017, The Shift s Board of Directors drafted a proposal on what this transition could look like. Which shifts do we need in order to improve our mobility, energy system, food and employment? And how do we make our economy truly circular? By defining clear priorities, we hope to offer you a better view on the choices to make and levers to use. This proposal from the Board does not stand alone. Generation T s young change-makers completed our views by adding their perspective, which stretches far beyond The Shift s priorities for change and Generation T s input should therefore be seen as one single document. Thomas Leysen, President The Shift

3 SDG S

4 THEME: SDG S: Mobility PRIORITIES FOR 2030: Improved spatial planning allows us to travel in smarter ways. Transport prices reflect the actual cost of travel. We make full use of technological innovations such as videoconferencing as an alternative to long-distance travel. Mobility is a combination of products and services: transport solutions are shared as efficiently as possible and available to everyone. If a new transport solution is adopted, it is emissions-free. Employee wages no longer contain fuel subsidies. Our go-to way of travelling is by water or train. Logistical centers are developed on the outskirts of all cities. Goods are then distributed efficiently and sustainably throughout the city. Generation T members recommend car-free, livable and pollution-free cities by supporting soft mobility, like walking and shared bikes, and ensuring a modern, high-quality and accessible public transport system. Although embracing it, the future generations don t think technology alone will be able to save the climate, the planet and the people living on it.

5 THEME: SDG S: Energy PRIORITIES FOR 2030: Belgium s primary energy consumption drops significantly, an evolution in which the energy efficiency of buildings plays a key role. A carbon tax or similar system offers a competitive advantage to energy-efficient companies. A smart grid with strong interconnections ensures the electricity grid is well-integrated with transport and heating. Our energy is primarily derived from renewable sources. Everyone has access to affordable renewable energy. Citizens, cooperatives and collectivities are coowners of a decentralised, flexible energy system. We no longer burn fossil fuels. According to Generation T members, what the world will look like in thirty years time will be the result of our financial decisions today. At present, we are still investing in fossil fuel infrastructure, while past emissions are already locking us into a future of a changing climate. We need to divest from fossil fuels starting today.

6 THEME: SDG S: Food PRIORITIES FOR 2030: All actors in the food chain cooperate as equal partners to produce and trade in a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly way. We no longer waste food because we understand its value. Our agriculture and food system does not exceed the limits of our planet and is based on an ecosystem-approach. Food is produced through resilient agriculture. Healthy, environmentally friendly food reduces society s (healthcare) costs. We make the transition to a more plant-based eating pattern. Generation T members believe that the way forward lies in communal gardens and short supply chains for food production. Let s not consume more than the earth can produce or create more waste than the earth can break down in the same time frame.

7 THEME: SDG S: Work & inclusion PRIORITIES FOR 2030: Employees are hired because of their skills and motivation. Work is meaningful and contributes to everyone s personal development. Work helps to connect people. Innovative partnerships are devised for and together with people who have difficulties accessing the labour market, so that they may be employed sustainably. Work helps to integrate those with a migration background in our society. Education and partnerships prepare people as thoroughly as possible for technological evolutions. Generation T members long for a more inclusive, collective and diverse economy. True diversity means including people from different socio-economic, cultural, educational and geographical backgrounds. Let s encourage organic organisational structures, social innovation, cooperation and self-directed teams, so we are free to spend more time on what really matters.

8 THEME: SDG S: Redefining Value* PRIORITIES FOR 2030* : By 2030, the corporate world analyses, values and reports on the actual value that it creates for society, that is: the actual costs and profits. To apply such an integrated approach, companies adopt the concepts of natural and social capital in their bookkeeping. Generation T members point out that the shift towards a more sustainable economy and society is not happening fast enough compared to how urgent the issues are that we face. Let s realign our investments with what our society really needs, the common good. * From the WBCSD vision document on redefining value

9 THEME: SDG: Circular Economy* PRIORITIES FOR 2030* : Our economy combines circular thinking, shared value creation, creative co-makership and social innovation. Innovative partnerships such as Green Economy covenants, innovation deals or freezones allow frontrunners to develop and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable economy. Area-specific initiatives related to business parks, city logistics and distribution are connected and scaled up. Generation T members remind us that since the Club of Rome Report of 1972, we know that there are limits to growth. This means we need to do more with less and make our products last. Let s fight the waste of food and material by recuperation, Repair Cafés and tool-libraries. * From the study Economy of the future by Prof. Ann Crabbé (University of Antwerp) commissioned by The Shift and ARGUS

10 THEME: SDG S: Resources PRIORITIES FOR 2030: All actors work to radically renew our material use and the production and consumption patterns associated with it. This safeguards the availability of resources and lowers the pressure on our planet. We ensure access to and sustainable management of water and sanitation for everyone. Since we know that there are limits to growth, Generation T members recommend not consuming more than the earth can produce or creating more waste than the earth can break down in the same time frame. THEME: SDG S: Inequality PRIORITIES FOR 2030: Companies make a conscious effort (including via partnerships) to reduce inequality both locally and internationally. Every child has equal rights and opportunities in society. Generation T members aim for a fair transition that serves the many, not the few. The biggest challenges ahead can only be dealt with if we reach a global critical mass, since these challenges do not recognise borders. Let s encourage diversity, eradicate inequality, guarantee fairness and promote societal integration.

11 Perspective by Generation T Generation T has grown to a group of more than three hundred youngsters who are taking on social and ecological challenges and coming up with solutions. Through our professional choices or commitments, we are taking initiative to share and do things together. As young makers, innovators, bloggers, educators, entrepreneurs and activists, we understand more than anyone that the vital transition to a new economy and societal system is imminent. We realise that this transition will need to happen through social and technological innovation, such as new organisational forms. We, Generation T ers, are launching cooperatives on renewable energy. We design models for innovative urban development to make better use of the social potential of spaces. As change-makers, we are developing apps for the sustainability programs of companies, cities and schools. We believe that the way forward lies in communal gardens, local currencies, short supply chains for food production (voedselteams, CSA farms, GASAPs) and co-housing. We strive for car-free, liveable and pollution-free cities by supporting soft mobility, like walking or shared bikes, and a modern, high-quality, accessible public transport system. Forget fast fashion, we are launching our own local sustainable fashion brand or inspiring others through fair fashion blogs. We combat the waste of food and materials by recuperation, Repair Cafés or tool-libraries, where you can rent any kind of quality equipment for a membership fee.

12 In this introduction, we want to challenge The Shift to stay ambitious: INEQUALITY Aim for a fair transition that serves the many, not the few. We should encourage diversity, eradicate inequality, guarantee fairness and promote societal integration in all domains of life. We invite everyone regardless of residential status, sexual orientation, gender, physical ability, income, age, religion or ethnicity to participate fully in society, politics and our economy. ALIGN FINANCE WITH SOCIETAL GOALS Today s biggest investments are still financing climate change s causes rather than its solutions. We need to divest from fossil fuels starting now. The world we will inherit in thirty years time is the one being financed today. Currently, we are still financing pipelines (eg. TAP), coal plants (eg. Cirebon), weapons factories and gentrifying real estate projects, whereas we should be realigning our investments with what our society really needs, the common good. PROMOTE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY The road to a smart world (smart solutions: blockchains, smart cars and smartphones) may not be as green or socially equitable as we think. Technology and innovation are necessary for the transition we are envisioning, but alone they will not be able to save the climate, our planet and the people living on it. LIMITS TO GROWTH We need to do more with less, make our products last and even ask ourselves whether we need more in the first place. Since the 1972 Club of Rome report, we have known that there are limits to growth. We should act on this knowledge now and keep our ecological footprint within the Earth s carrying capacity. This means neither consuming more than the Earth can produce nor creating more waste than it can break down in the same time frame. To us, this means rethinking our whole economic system.

13 SOCIAL, INCLUSIVE AND COLLECTIVE INNOVATION Our generation was raised in a fast-moving, individualistic society. Many of us now long for a more inclusive and collective economy. Encourage organic organisational structures, social innovation, cooperation and selfdirected teams to free up time for what really matters. STRENGTH LIES IN UNITY In Belgium, ever fewer initiatives and networks are organised at the federal level. There are only few occasions for Walloon, Brussels, Flemish and various other youngster communities to meet, create and take action together. Generation T ers believe sharing between communities allows for greater experiences and results: we should recognise the strength in unity. DIVERSITY Generation T wants to involve as many different opinions and people as possible in our actions and thought experiments. Diversity means including people from different socio-economic, cultural, educational and geographical backgrounds, amongst others. It enriches and diversifies viewpoints, allowing us to come up with innovative solutions. LOCK-IN RISKS We need to be aware of the choices we are (or aren t!) making today. Past emissions are already locking us into a future of a changing climate. If we wish to avert a total lock-in and prevent even worse problems, we need to make that decision right now. Similarly, making changes to minimise climate change damage needs to happen right now! Generation T points out that the shift towards a more sustainable economy and society is not happening fast enough compared to how urgent the issues are that we face. DEMOCRACY We believe civic participation is key to moving forward on the crucial issues we face. It will ensure every voice is heard and encourage engagement with what is happening. On the other hand, the biggest challenges ahead can only be dealt with globally, as they don t recognise borders. That is why we believe politicians should create a strong international framework to tackle those challenges in a participatory way. This framework should involve youngsters to ensure the long-term perspective is kept in mind.

14 The Shift asblv/vzw We Make The The Shift