Domestically, we have already set ourselves a target of meeting at least half of our energy needs from alternative and renewable sources by 2050. We believe there is huge potential to develop wind and solar power in our country as well as to cut energy waste. We are also investing heavily in building a green technology sector to diversify and “future proof” our economy, creating new high tech, high value employment and attracting fresh investment.

Internationally, we see EXPO 2017 as a key part of our Green Bridge initiative to bring together governments, international organizations and private business to find solutions to sustainable growth. We have to be ambitious in creating partnerships to share technology and best practice with countries throughout the world, no matter what their stage of development. We will only begin to tackle climate change successfully when it can be done without putting the brakes on economic growth and the prosperity it brings for our citizens.

It is economics, not altruism, which must drive the green revolution and steps to reduce carbon emissions. There is now a mountain of evidence showing that dealing with the impact of climate change will be much more expensive than the changes needed to slow down and halt it. As we are already seeing, the costs of more frequent and extreme storms and droughts, the reduction in food production due to desertification and the flooding of homes and farmland near the coast will be enormous.

There are also huge gains to be made if we get the green revolution right. By cutting bills, energy efficiency makes sense for businesses, families and countries which is a forefront of the argument for a green revolution. There are millions of jobs to be created by harnessing new green technology and not just in the more mature economies. Clean, micro-generation technologies can make a huge contribution to development and the quality of life in the poorest countries and communities.

We need to kill off the false choice which is often posed between economic growth and sustainable development. I know the scars of the financial crisis are still raw and recovery remains uncertain. But we must also remember that the mistakes which led to the crash came from putting short-term gains before long-term security. Without putting in place the policies and investment needed for clean energy and production, we will make the same errors. It is why I hope you will join us at EXPO 2017.

The author is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

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