Former UN Environmental Director and climate activist Svein T Veitdal warns the climate crisis needs immediate action

Svein T Veitdal is a global expert and activist on climate change, renewable energy & nature. He is a former UN Director and is now the Director of Klima 2020. Based in Norway, Svein says “we still have hope and possibility, but we have to act extremely fast.”

“I think everybody understands that the situation is extremely dangerous for future generations. There is no doubt about that anymore. There is one recipe that works. That is to take the source to the problem. Which is the fast reduction of emissions. And that means cutting down on fossil energy production.”

Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist

Nordic countries lead the way on climate action

The recent IPCC climate report sent a stark climate science warning around the world. Now, more extreme weather events are wreaking havoc across Greece, the United States.

Nordic countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are showing great leadership when it comes to climate change action. Now, more than 50%, of all new cars sold in Norway are fully electric, with no hybrids.

Norway is focusing on subsidising, with free parking, no road tolls, and a growing network of charging stations.

 “So we are not more environmentalists than other countries, it’s just to do it like this and it will happen everywhere. So that’s a way to speed up the transition. But now, we are starting to withdraw the benefits because now the market works and we can withdraw the benefits.”

Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist

Norway also leads the way for remarkable hydrogen opportunities. More than 95% of their energy is renewable, mainly from hydrogen.

“We definitely continue to invest in hydrogen and hydrogen development”

Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist

However, while Norway is leading in so many ways Veitdal insists Norway can also be seen as hypocritical. He says in comparison to Sweden and Denmark, Norway has only reduced its emissions by 4% since 1990.

” Norway is not willing to set an end date to oil and gas and we are even subsidising to look for new areas. And we are going against the advice to the Secretary-General in the UN and also the new report from the International Energy Agency.”

“Our neighbours have done much better.”

Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist

Cop26 Glasgow

The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is fast approaching. It’s scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland between 1 and 12 November 2021.

Glasgow will potentially be one of the most important global climate discussions of all time. Action must happen now before it’s too late.

“It’s super important because maybe it’s the last chance we have to reach global climate goals. I don’t think we will make the 1.5 goals but what is needed is an agreed plan to phase out fossil energy production and increased renewable energy production much faster than what is happening today.”

“We need to reduce emissions by 10% a year until 2030.”

Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist

"I don't know what the world will look like in 30 years… We still have hope, but we have to act extremely fast."

Climate activist and former UN Director @tveitdal on the #Climatechange emergency.

@SDHamiltonVIC @hollystearnes #tickerCLIMATE pic.twitter.com/ZvqboVRuNn

— ticker NEWS (@tickerNEWSco) August 30, 2021

“We now have almost 80% of the world’s emissions covered by net-zero pledges – up from about 20% in 2019. AUS still has a target set in 2015”

Scott Hamilton, Energy expert & ticker climate co-host

Veitdal has attended most of the climate conferences in the past and says Australia’s track record is not great. He believes Australia is a victim of climate change to forest fires, heatwaves, and the downgrading of the Great Barrier Reef.

Veitdal warns if Australia doesn’t pick up its game, it will lag behind, lose a lot of green business opportunities and suffer more from the impact.

“It looks like you have failed to act to protect your people from I think, maybe the greed of the fossil fuel industry before sea lobby, the coal lobby is probably too strong.”

“Even if you have excellent conditions for renewable energy production, it looks like the shift is coming slower to Australia than the rest of the world.”

“Australia must leave fossil energy behind that’s your solution, that will be successful to the people and to the world.”

Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist

Watch this week’s full episode here: https://originals.tickernews.co/category/climate/