Diplomatic World 67

IT IS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS PLANS
AND FINANCIAL MODELS
H.E. BUDDHI K. ATHAUDA
H.E. Buddhi K. Athauda has quite a diverse career. He started
out by joining the tech start-up IRIDIUM LLC in Washington DC,
in USA, the first ever global mobile satellite phone venture, then
became Sri Lanka’s ambassador in the Netherlands and France
INDEED, THE DAYS OF FOSSIL FUELS SEEM TO
COME TO AN END. HOW LONG WILL THIS
TRANSITION TAKE?
and now is back in the start-up universe with a very ambitious
The use of fossil fuels will continue in different ways. But I think
Greentech company. He has been talking to Dieter Brockmeyer,
currently so many new technologies are invented that I believe
co-founder and director Innovation & TIME of the Diplomatic
that the need to burn fossil fuels will become obsolete before the
World Institute, about the global rollout of renewable energy,
already depleted resources run out. I really hope so since it is
which he believes is most likely one of the largest tasks of
useful in so many other ways than burning it. Most scientific
mankind.
institutions predict that it will run out in this century. So, when
looking at the United States, in some states like California
YOU HAVE A VERY DIVERSE CAREER, FROM TEL-
ECOMMUNICATIONS TO DIPLOMACY AND NOW IN
RENEWABLE ENERGY. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
renewable energies already have a 20 percent share, only 2 to
3 percent in others.
That means this is just the beginning. We are at the beginning of
a truly big transition, and I believe our personal and commercial
I first was in a group of young entrepreneurs trying to build up a
decisions need to be congruent with this change. If you look
first venture in satellite telecommunications. This was the begin-
at the bigger picture, 50 percent of the emissions in the US are
ning of my professional life in a tech start-up. Upon the invitation
coming from the energy and transport sector. We think that 20
of the then Sri Lankan president to join diplomatic services, I ac-
percent of the US energy demand can be compensated by solar
cepted this offer and viewed it as an opportunity to represent the
energy. Together with the new battery technology and wind and
country within the spheres of commerce, diplomacy, and interna-
the other renewables we, at some time, can reach 100 percent.
tional development. I thought I would do it for about three years.
But I ended up doing it for 13 years, from 2007 to 2020. After a
We want to expedite this transition. That is the whole purpose
of our company.
H.E. Buddhi K. Athauda
career spanning over a decade in diplomacy I am now back on
home turf in tech industry, to renewable energy now amidst what
experts are calling the 4th Industrial Revolution. Technology is
my passion. The reason why I’ve chosen renewable energy is
because of my personal conviction towards contributing to a
sustainable world while enjoying building a global company.
IT IS GOING TO BECOME QUITE A BIG COMPANY
AGAIN. DO I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT?
Usually, start-ups start small. This was not the case at my previous
one. We raised USD 7.5 billion then. We launched 77 satel-
WORLD LEADERS HAVE AGREED ON THE PARIS
AGREEMENT AS WE ALL KNOW. BUT CRITICS SAY
THEY ARE TOO SLOW ADOPTING TO IT. WHAT
CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?
The global leaders agreeing to it is a very good starting point.
That is unbelievable. And they returned to their countries and
started on regular frameworks. Visions are transferred into targets
how to get there. Some countries are very cautious because
they fear to lose their industry base; India, China…
BUT THE INFLUENCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS
LIMITED AND CHALLENGED BY NATIONAL INTER-
ESTS. IS THERE A WAY TO STRENGTHEN THESE
ORGANIZATIONS?
I think the United Nations needs to integrate the Paris Convention
and its main points into ALL things they do. For example,
when giving help to other countries. This should be based on
whether the country has functioning transition policy in place
or not, and they should provide help to implement these things.
They should give technical assistance and train officials. The UN
can do a lot. But also, institutions like the UNESCO regarding
launch many platforms to support government officials. Therefore,
we plan to provide these tools.
HOWEVER, YOU HAVE NATIONS, LIKE RUSSIA
OR THE MIDDLE EAST THAT WANT TO CONTINUE
TO SELL THEIR OIL OR GAS – AND COUNTRIES
LIKE CHINA OR INDIA THAT INTEND OR NEED
TO GROW THEIR ECONOMIES, CONTRADICTING
A FAST TRANSITION. HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH
THIS?
lites all around the planet to make signals available for the entire
But the European nations I noticed are working firmly on not
science, education and culture could do a lot of things – or the
If you look at how the demand is developing globally you see
surface of planet Earth, enable telephone calls from all around
leaving the mission to voluntary action but instead enforcing
global financial institutions like the World Bank.
that renewable energies have become a global driver. My impres-
the world. So, I got used to large scale projects. Our future goals
compliance through regulatory frameworks. I think once the lead-
sion is that major economies see this as an opportunity to grow.
include becoming a catalyst in the transition from fossil fuel
ers have agreed, the field organizations and global institutions
I know some of these institutions have decided not to fund any
energy production to renewable energy production and to help to
need to execute certain things.
fossil related projects anymore, even in the US that funded the
Even the Middle East has some of the biggest turn around plans.
reduce the carbon emissions by building platforms for solar and
last coal power plant in 2014. There is the lot that can be done
It’s a question of technology – it does not necessarily have to be
wind energy worldwide.
at this end. There is also place for other initiatives. We intend to
solar or wind. For example, the time you use the energy is not
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