"Tipping Point for Climate" Claims Leading Academic at Construction Summit

Professor Johan Rockström, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, was one of the keynote speakers at the first Construction Climate Challenge (CCC) summit, held in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 24th. Addressing the 150 attendees, Rockström noted he has urged society to target a maximum increase in global average temperature of 2° C this century and reduce carbon emissions to zero.

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“We have reached a tipping point where the earth’s biophysical capacity is no longer sufficient to support mankind’s activities,” he said. “Mankind has become a planetary force for change. To offset this, we need a big effort from industry, government and communities in order to keep the planet within the sustainable 2° C limit.”

The event also saw speakers from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), European Commission, academia, public utilities and leading contractors, as well as participation from leading non-governmental organizations such as World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Green Building Council (WGBC). Organized by Volvo Construction Equipment, the CCC debated issues such as how circular business models and cooperation across the value chain – together with innovations and research – can reduce the climate impact of construction.

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“Collaboration and common language will be the key factors to achieving our environmental target,” said Martin Weissburg, president of Volvo Construction Equipment, and host of the summit. “Industry, business, policy makers, legislators and market forces – all of us have a role in this. We have a shared vision – to improve our planet for the next generations. The CCC is designed to break down the barriers to cooperation and communication between our different interest groups. But it has to be more than just words or study, but also be a call to action that leads to meaningful change. I am confident that the motivation exists and we can make a difference.”

For more information about the CCC summit, please click here.

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