The Hindu Business Line : Troubled climate

The ongoing United Nations climate change talks at Poznan run the risk of inaction by countries. The steady deterioration of what started as economic slowdown into a full-blown recession and the ongoing global financial crisis seem to have taken their toll. Countries are more concerned about their own economies and growth prospects than about global warming. Although it may be too early to draw any definite conclusion, the lukewarm response from even the staunchest propone nts of a global rally against climate change — countries such as Canada, Australia and Japan — suggests that discussions would make little headway by way of specific commitments. Yet, it would be callous if concerns of the current turmoil in the financial markets are allowed to derail climate talks.

Indeed, the precipitous fall in crude prices and the possibility of the energy market staying at depressed levels is a disincentive for making rapid progress in energy efficiency and development of cleaner alternative technologies. This is exactly why at Poznan, countries that are genuinely serious about fighting climate change should strive to arrive at a consensus on the road ahead and not allow the Bali heat to cool-off. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) publication, World Energy Outlook 2008, greening the energy system requires an additional investment of $3.6 trillion in power plants and $5.7 trillion in energy efficiency over the 2010-2030 period. The key issue is how to raise funds to help developing countries fight global warming and adapt to its effects. Such issues are critical for completing a new treaty by December 2009 that could replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012. Meanwhile, experts are pushing for economic activities that would reduce the carbon footprint. However, given the current state of energy-intensive manufacturing technology as well as problems associated with access to and affordability of clean technologies, it would be well-nigh impossible for many of the rapidly growing economies (such as those in Asia) to sustain growth that can help lift a large number of the poor out of poverty.

Developed nations that have polluted the earth and continue to do so, have a moral obligation to pay for their past omissions and commissions in the form of unchecked emissions. The developing countries, on the other hand, should not be allowed to abdicate their current responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint. It is absolutely necessary that countries that announce stimulus package to revive economic activity deploy clean technologies. Large developing countries such as China planning to build new energy infrastructure must demonstrate their commitment to fighting climate change. It is time for New Delhi to accept the reality of the dangers of unchecked carbon emissions. Adoption of Clean Coal technology and promotion of renewable energy brook no delay.

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