Reinfeldt and Pinera sign ‘green tech’ agreements
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera signed cooperation agreements on mining, forestry and “green technologies” on Thursday.
"A country that will invest $50 billion during this decade in mining has to make an effort because mining is sustainable," Pinera said.
Chile relies heavily on exports of its natural resources. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue, according to US estimates. Lithium, iron, wood and fruits are among Chile's exports.
Mining and forestry, said Pinera, "are very important to both nations." The "green technologies" agreement focuses on urban development that protects the environment.
Reinfeldt, concluding a four-day official trip to Brazil and Chile, spoke earlier Thursday at an energy seminar before meeting Pinera at the presidential palace.
Earlier in the trip, Reinfeldt discussed ethanol production, environmental concerns and technological cooperation with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
On Wednesday, Reinfeldt told Brazilian business leaders that there should be a global "green economy" with sustainable growth. He said it would be a huge challenge but that "there is no alternative."
During his trip to South America, Reinfeldt has expressed hope that these ideas will gain more widespread support at the "Rio+20" UN Conference on Sustainable Development next year.
"We need a better common understanding of green economy, and Rio+20 could get us closer to such an understanding," Reinfeldt said Tuesday.
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"A country that will invest $50 billion during this decade in mining has to make an effort because mining is sustainable," Pinera said.
Chile relies heavily on exports of its natural resources. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue, according to US estimates. Lithium, iron, wood and fruits are among Chile's exports.
Mining and forestry, said Pinera, "are very important to both nations." The "green technologies" agreement focuses on urban development that protects the environment.
Reinfeldt, concluding a four-day official trip to Brazil and Chile, spoke earlier Thursday at an energy seminar before meeting Pinera at the presidential palace.
Earlier in the trip, Reinfeldt discussed ethanol production, environmental concerns and technological cooperation with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
On Wednesday, Reinfeldt told Brazilian business leaders that there should be a global "green economy" with sustainable growth. He said it would be a huge challenge but that "there is no alternative."
During his trip to South America, Reinfeldt has expressed hope that these ideas will gain more widespread support at the "Rio+20" UN Conference on Sustainable Development next year.
"We need a better common understanding of green economy, and Rio+20 could get us closer to such an understanding," Reinfeldt said Tuesday.
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