Environmental Dialogue Above Lac Léman

Environmental Dialogue Above Lac Léman

International and Arab News

Discussions with representatives of countries and international organizations at Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) in Geneva reveal divergences, almost to the point of contradiction, on issues related to environment and development. The only element cooling the heat of dialogues seems to be the location of the United Nations European headquarters, overlooking the tranquil Lac Léman (Lake Geneva).

While an expert working with a climate change organization insists that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without first addressing climate challenges, he is readily opposed by an adviser to the World Trade Organization asserting that the absolute priority should be for economic growth, supported by opening the doors for free trade. The debate diverges in opposing directions, in which poverty overlaps with education, food security, forests and industry. While the debaters were expecting the representative of one of the oil-producing countries to object to a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, it is the representative of a top beef-producing country who quickly objects. Participants realize that raising cows is responsible for more than 12 percent of climate change emissions, mainly methane.

As the debate heats up, the calmness of Lake Geneva inspires a solution that takes objective facts