President Milanović: Advanced Countries Focus on Green Economy
On the occasion of World Environment Day on 5 June, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović received a delegation of the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development (HRPSOR).
“The green economy is increasingly becoming the focus of advanced countries mulling over the challenges of the future. At a time when the coronavirus crisis is behind us, and prior to the financial one that in all likelihood awaits us, it is time to put the development of the economy in a much broader and different context that takes sustainable development into account. World Environment Day is a true reminder of which path to take. This crisis has shown us that nature can survive without us, but also that we cannot survive without nature. Being aware of the fact that we are rich in those resources that will be important in the future, that the next potential crisis is a climate crisis, and that the way in which the Croatian economic system functions is still on shaky ground and needs to be changed, it is now the right time for Croatia to take the path of living in a sustainable society and of acting responsibly towards our environment – through positive and good practices of both large and small companies and each one of us,” President Milanović said on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Applying sustainable development in the Croatian economy was discussed at the meeting with the President of the Republic. It was stressed that in Croatia, there is inadequate focus on sustainable development. Representatives of HRPSOR presented their objectives, which include: representing economic interests in sustainable development, supporting the presence of sustainable development in economic, political, legal and social life; and encouraging changes that will accelerate the transition to sustainable development in Croatia.
“Environmental protection is no longer just a matter for individual organizations or a hobby, as most see it today. Environmental protection, which primarily focuses on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, is a matter of the people’s future. The future of our children. If we do not transfer to the green economy, if we do not stimulate our economy in that direction and thereby give it a chance to restart and revitalize itself right now – when the EU will provide us with adequate funds – the climate crisis that looms will be the worst in human history. We cannot fight against nature, but we can adapt our behaviour and reduce our impact on nature. This is what World Environment Day is advocating,” Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Energy and Climate Julije Domac underscored at the meeting.
The delegation of the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development consisted of: Director of HRPSOR Mirjana Matešić, Director of the company Dvokut Ecro Marta Brkić, Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Affairs of the company Valamar Riviera Ivana Budin Arhanić, Chairman of the Board of the company PricewaterhouseCoopers John Mathias Gasparac, member of the Board of the company INA Darko Markotić, Chairman of the Board of the company Messer Croatia Plin Robert Mustač, member of the Board of Directors and Director of Global Product Management of the company JGL Dorotea Pernjak Banić, member of the Board of the company AquafilCRO Saša Muminović, General Director of the company Vetropack Straža Tihomir Premužak, Director of the company Regeneracija Anđelko Švaljek and Chairman of the Board of the company Holcim Hrvatska Virna Višković-Agušaj.
World Environment Day is marked each year on 5 June on the anniversary of a United Nations conference on the environment held in Stockholm in 1972, at which the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was adopted. The UNEP slogan for the year 2020 is “It is the time for nature.”
