Eva Saldaña, executive director of Greenpeace Spain: “The economic and financial system must change and start serving the common good”
“We are at a critical moment, and we must think about redistribution. Therefore, the financial and economic system must change and start serving the common good”, explained Eva Saldaña, executive director of Greenpeace Spain, at the first session of Matins Esade of the academic year entitled ‘Green shift. There will be a future and we must all help build it.’ The director of Greenpeace Spain explained that ‘there’s more to the future than GDP’ although according to a report published by her organization, “4.8% of Spain’s GDP would be enough to change the system and implement a productive model based on the health of the planet and people”. “It’s not a matter of money. What’s necessary is a shift in priorities and engaged politicians”, emphasized Saldaña.
Principles of change
“Until now, we’ve worked in a world arranged in water-tight compartments. But we’ve now realized that we rely on each other and need a more long-term outlook”. Greenpeace believes that different models will not have different principles but “will have principles in common”. The principles outlined by Greenpeace are based on life being more important than short-term, economic interests; a fair distribution of wealth and power; wellbeing as a cornerstone; inclusivity, equality and diversity; resilience and community; transparency and clarity; real democracy; co-operation and mutual benefit; and responsibility and accountability. Specifically, “energy and food sovereignty has become quite clear since war broke out in Ukraine”, Saldaña explained and then added that “we don’t live in real democracies where citizens can take part in decisions and lead change”.
Essential revolutions
“We’ll have to devise other lifestyles that involve saving and move from a system based on fossil fuels to a system based on renewables,” pointed out Saldaña. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding ecosystems because “not even 10% is protected”. Greenpeace believes this is an ecosocial crisis that needs changes to be made to infrastructures and housing, transport and mobility, employment, energy and the electricity market, farming, fishing and forestry, and land management, amongst others. “It’s essential to declare sustainable forestry, agriculture, farming and fishing as essential services for society and also to ensure a reduction of at least 50% in food waste and encourage households to consume ecological, local and seasonal produce”.
The executive director of Greenpeace Spain ended her talk by highlighting the need for leaders able to implement these positive changes and transformational values because “global governance is one of these challenges”. “We must not forget that the biggest business in our hands is life itself and our own survival”.
The Greenpeace director was accompanied by Patricia Valentí, director of Esade Alumni, and Rafael Sardá, academic collaborator at Esade. ‘Matins Esade’ are get-togethers where the heads of companies and institutions analyze their own challenges and obstacles and reflect upon their track record.
