How does Asia fit into this? Without doubt, Asian giants China and India are today two of world’s fastest growing significant economies (GDP growth rate of 8-10 per cent and combined population of 2.4 billion). Any changes in their energy consumption would have a major impact on the global energy market. Both China and India are home to a large number of the world’s poor, to whom growth benefits have to be delivered. Energy consumption fuels economic growth and, unfortunately, the class of the energy resources that is easily and cost-effectively available today — oil, gas and coal — is polluting. Coal is set to grow most rapidly, driven largely by rising electricity demand in China and India. Chronically short of power, both countries are investing heavily in power generation. These trends are fuelling higher emissions of carbon-dioxide (CO₂), projected to increase from 27 Giga-tonnes in 2005 to 42 Gt in 2030, up 57 per cent. China is expected to overtake the US to become the world’s biggest emitter in 2007, while India is likely to become the third-biggest emitter around 2015. Clearly, it is not only China and India, but all countries in the world that face the classic dilemma — of ensuring sustained growth without hurting the environment.

Countries cannot selectively fight global warming or climate change. It has to be a global mission. Yet, each country can contribute its mite; indeed, with fuel prices rising all too rapidly, energy conservation makes eminent economic sense for all. As for India, infusing energy-efficient technologies in industrial activity should become top priority. Tougher energy standards for gadgets and white goods are called for. Improved efficiency in industry, building and transport is an urgent need. The cryptic message ‘energy saved is energy earned’ is more relevant today than it has ever been.

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