Polish diplomat Marek Ziółkowski started to deliver a series of lectures «International Business and Ecopolitics» on February 19. Open meetings with the guest will be held at the Department of Foreign Trade and Customs Activities, the Institute of Economics and Management, Lviv Polytechnic, every Monday until March 18.
Marek Ziółkowski is an experienced Polish diplomat who held a number of positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. Previously, he was a consul in Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine, later in Kenya, and until 2019 – a representative of Poland in NATO. In 2005, by the Decree of the President of Ukraine, he was awarded the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, 5th degree, for his significant personal contribution to the development and deepening of the Ukrainian-Polish strategic partnership.
The Polish diplomat agreed to visit Lviv Polytechnic and conduct a series of lectures on the international business in the context of environmental policy and challenges in the field of climate change. It is worth noting that Mr. Ziółkowski speaks Ukrainian, so we have the opportunity to listen to lectures in our native language. The first lecture on International business in the age of climate challenges by our guest of honour took place on February 19.
«Two or three years ago I came up with a theory which I want to present to you now. There are two megatrends in international relations: the war in Ukraine and the world’s transition to energy decarbonization, green transformation», says Marek Ziółkowski.
Climate change is not often talked about in Eastern Europe, but in Western European reports approximately five to seven out of ten global risks are related to climate. And this is already a powerful trend. This issue was discussed both at the World Economic Forum and at the Munich Security Conference. The war in Ukraine and the threat from Russia are on the same level as environmental problems.
«Within the framework of these security conferences, we accept the thesis that humanity indeed is partially responsible for the greenhouse effect through our economic activity. And climate policy began with this. If even McKinsey & Company is writing about it, then economists have already realized that it seriously affects their approach to business, and it is no longer just a question for scientists», says Mr. Ziółkowski.
Environmental policy is beginning to enter various spheres of administration, international relations, economy, etc., and future specialists cannot avoid at least partial interaction with climate issues. Marek Ziółkowski admits that it will sound very exotic to the ears of the residents of Eastern and Central Europe, but even the giants of the defense industry are thinking about green politics. Electric military vehicles are already being tested in the armies of developed countries. For example, Lockheed Martin – a well-known manufacturer of fighter jets, aircraft, and missile weapons – submits separate reports on its carbon footprint and green policy measures. NATO is also talking about the fact that the transition to green technologies in the defense industry will not harm military efficiency in any way.
The war in Ukraine diverted public attention from climate change, but future experts in energy, politics, economics, etc. will inevitably face environmental issues in one way or another, so we should not forget to talk about it in our university.
Let us remind you that the lectures of Marek Ziółkowski will take place every Monday on the fifth floor in the room 527 in the 4th academic building of Lviv Polytechnic until March 18 inclusive.
