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March 15, 2010
India and Climate Change - UCLA Asia Institute
SITUATION
Low-carbon growth in China and India presents a number of challenges but is the only sustainable approach to development. It is necessary to decouple economic growth and emissions growth in these countries between 2010 and 2020 in order to achieve global stabilization targets for CO2e emissions.
Low-carbon growth in China and India presents a number of challenges but is the only sustainable approach to development. It is necessary to decouple economic growth and emissions growth in these countries between 2010 and 2020 in order to achieve global stabilization targets for CO2e emissions.
Both China and India need to develop economically to raise the standard of living of their citizens. Under EIA 2009 projections, development leads to energy-related CO2e emissions of approximately 14 billion tons in 2020 (India - 4.4 billion tons, China - 9 billion tons). Emissions in this range are well above per-capita stabilization targets for 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change.
Low-carbon growth for China and India has a number of advantages beyond the avoided catastrophic impacts of climate change. Development of renewable energy results in improved air and water quality, decreased volatility in fuel prices, and enhanced national security. Designing systems and buildings efficiently and deploying other low-carbon management strategies pays back over time through energy savings and reduced resource use.
OBJECTIVE
Economic growth in China and India must rely on low-carbon energy production and technologies in order to meet CO2e stabilization targets and avoid catastrophic climate change. Low-carbon growth that avoids increases in current per-capita emissions without compromising economic advance is attainable but will require strong policy support.
Economic growth in China and India must rely on low-carbon energy production and technologies in order to meet CO2e stabilization targets and avoid catastrophic climate change. Low-carbon growth that avoids increases in current per-capita emissions without compromising economic advance is attainable but will require strong policy support.
The current per-capita CO2e emissions in both countries are significantly below those of most developed countries, and if maintained at these levels through low-carbon growth would set a sustainable precedent.
Market incentives need to be aligned with societal objectives. Mandates for low-carbon technologies are needed in markets where these technologies have been proven. The mandates will accelerate scale up and prevent interference by incumbents and send the right signal to entrepreneurs to encourage innovation. A significant portion of the estimated growth in annually emissions 8 to 13 billion tons of CO2e annually by 2020 can be avoided through low-carbon development plans for developing countries.
POLLUTION IN CHINA IS INCREASING
Emissions from combustion of fossil fuels for energy pollute the air and contribute to increasing CO2e levels that lead to dangerous climate change. Emissions are rising with population and...
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LOW CARBON ENERGY IS CRITICAL
Without low CO2e energy generation to meet new energy demand in India and China, it will be near impossible to achieve CO2e stabilization targets by 2020...
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RURAL AREAS BENEFIT FROM SOLAR
Low cost installation solar PV could provide the over 3 billion people living in underdeveloped rural areas with access to electricity without the for traditional grid infrastructure...
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CHINA AND INDIA FUEL GLOBAL ENERGY DEMAND
Demand for energy in China and India will continue to grow through 2030 according to the International Energy Agency. This growth is propelled by fast growing economies and surging populations.
Read more > Source: IEA World Energy Outlook, 2007
CHINA & INDIA ARE MAJOR EMITTERS
Population and economic growth is driving high energy related emissions in China and India. Figure shows share of China and India in incremental energy demand, imports and energy-related CO2...
Read more > Source: IEA World Energy Outlook, 2007INTELLIGENCE
REPORTS
Global Wind Energy Council, 2007
REN21, 2009
International Energy Agency, 2007
Brookings Institute, 2008
Brookings Institute, 2008
PUBLICATIONS
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2009
World Bank, 2009
Goldman Sachs, 2007
Prof. Wang Yi
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2009
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2009
S. Chaudhuri et al.
World Bank, 2007
World Bank, 2007
Goldman Sachs, 2007
International Energy Initiative
ORGANIZATIONS
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