19.09.2024 / News

The environmental studio “Women's Initiative as a Driver for the Development of a Green Economy” was held at the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum

On September 19, as part of the second day of the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum, an environmental studio "Women's Initiative as a Driver for the Development of a Green Economy" was held. Participants discussed what new impulses for business and technology development are provided by the greening of the economy. During the discussion, the key tasks of conscious consumption were voiced, the features of forming a culture of thrift and environmental patriotism were named, and examples of projects that can form the basis of national standards were given.

As the moderator, co-chair of the all-Russian ecological movement "Ecosystem", co-founder of the Foundation "Association of Women of the Nuclear Industry" Alexandra Ryabykh noted , the connection between nature and the feminine principle is deeply rooted in Russian culture and beyond. And it is no coincidence that the word "ecology" is translated from Greek as the science of the home.

She cited global statistics, according to which today 80% of women surveyed are concerned about climate change. And exactly the same number of women work in the field of education, and among applicants who choose ecology-related specialties, girls predominate.

The results of the study conducted by the State Corporation Rosatom were shared by its project office director for internal communications and corporate social responsibility Anna Zhigulskaya . The company surveyed residents, including in 31 cities where it operates. People were asked to choose three characteristics that they would like to see in the place where they live in 10 years.

As a result, 39% of respondents said that they dream of living in a green city, 28% would like to see new transport, and 22% talked about an accessible environment.

"The environmental agenda concerns everyone, and it greatly affects the quality of life. In order to develop it, it is important to involve different categories of the population in the initiatives that can contribute to this. For our part, we have developed a certain model, thanks to which we try to analyze environmental practices in our cities and involve the population in it as much as possible. To create entry points for those to whom this agenda is most close and important," said Anna Zhigulskaya .

She emphasized that it is very important to work at all levels here. Start with forming a request and assessing the current situation, what features are in a particular place. Because each city is unique in its own way. Then the infrastructure and existing opportunities are analyzed. After that, work with residents begins: communications are built, the effectiveness of current programs is increased. This creates an influx of ambassadors and allows changing values, introducing a new culture. Finally, regulation and standardization is the stage that allows recording those changes that are considered key.

Among the tools for achieving the desired effect, the speaker highlighted educational programs, community development events, the formation of eco-standards and interaction with federal partners, support for local eco-business and NGOs, the development of volunteerism and the popularization of eco-professions.

According to Anna Zhigulskaya , the greatest number of questions today are raised by the integration of green solutions in cities.

"We are trying to make the environmental agenda interesting and attractive to young people. Because young people, as we see from all our surveys, have a great demand for living in environmentally friendly cities," she added.

The participants of the discussion agreed that it is very important when large companies demonstrate commitment, in addition to business development, to the principles of not harming the environment. At the same time, the development of green energy will contribute to economic growth and improve the quality of life of people. The director of Nutek Energy Consulting, Technology and Industry Inc., the president of the Turkish Women's Nuclear Society Bahire Gül Göktepe shared about what joint projects exist in this area.

Mariela Micaela Moreno Palacius, research technician at the Alternative Energy and Environment research group at the Polytechnic School in Chimborazo (Ecuador), shared her vision of the role of women in the circular economy . Farah Algharib, CEO of Precision & Choice, an environmentalist and public figure from Saudi Arabia , spoke in detail about conscious consumption and the implementation of a state strategy based on this approach.

Sakhalin Oblast shows the best results in sustainable development among the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. Today it is moving towards carbon neutrality. And it all began in 2022, when the subject was chosen as a pilot territory for testing and launching Russian climate projects, noted the special representative of the Governor of Sakhalin Oblast for climate and sustainable development Milena Milic .

According to her, ecology today has no borders. Many regions are already showing initiative in this area. And climate dialogues are what bring countries together.

Many decisions are made by people. Therefore, it is always necessary to think about the consequences, reminded oncologist, professor at the University of Belgrade, Minister of Health of the Republic of Serbia Danica Grujicic . Anna Ruska , a public figure, marketing expert, founder of the All-Russian educational forum "Reputation" and the ecological society "ECODEVELOPMENT", agreed with her . She is sure that modern society has already taken a large loan from the planet. Therefore, we cannot ignore the topic of ecological thinking. It is important to unite not only to solve economic and political issues, but also to discuss the topic of how to involve society as a whole in this area.

The Fourth Eurasian Women's Forum is taking place from September 18 to 20 in St. Petersburg. The organizers of the EWF are the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The operator for the preparation and holding of the event is the Roscongress Foundation.

Official forum website: 2024.eawf.ru