Developing countries make strides to reduce GHG emissions

Nov. 11, 2002
Certain developing countries' efforts to strengthen their economies, improve energy security, and protect their local environments are at the same time reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Nov. 11 -- Certain developing countries' efforts to strengthen their economies, improve energy security, and protect their local environments are at the same time reducing significantly their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to a recently released report from the Washington, DC-based Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

The report, which examined climate mitigation in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey, found that these six developing countries' efforts have reduced the growth of their combined GHG emissions by nearly 300 million tonnes/year.

"If not for these efforts," the report said, "emissions in the six countries could be about 19% higher than they are today."

Pew Center Pres. Eileen Claussen said, "While the US and other developed countries must act first in the global effort against climate change, emissions from developing countries are growing rapidly, and in time they must be addressed as well.

"This report demonstrates that many efforts already under way in developing countries, whether or not motivated by climate concerns, are in fact contributing to the effort against climate change," Claussen said, adding, "The key message is that climate protection can go hand-in-hand with economic growth and other overriding priorities of developing countries.

"With the right strategies, developing countries can achieve their goals even as they contribute more strongly to the effort against climate change," she concluded.

Key findings
Based on the 6 countries studied, the Pew Center report found that:

-- If not for aggressive biofuels and energy efficiency programs aimed at diversifying its supply of energy, Brazil's emissions would be 10% higher than at present. The report found that Brazil could cut emissions growth by an additional 45 million tons/year by 2020 if "stronger efforts" were enforced.

-- China has reduced "dramatically" its emissions growth through reducing population growth, switching to natural gas from coal, and afforestation, the report stated. Over the last 3 decades, Pew Center found that emissions growth has been reduced by about 250 million tons/year of carbon, or about one third of current emissions, and had the potential to be reduced by an additional 500 million tons/year in 2020.

-- Over the past 10 years, India's growth in energy-related CO2 emissions was reduced through economic restructuring, enforcement of existing clean air laws, and renewable energy programs, the report said. Over the next decade, Pew Center said about 120 million tons of additional carbon mitigation could be achieved at a cost of not more than $15/ton.

-- Mexico has started reducing deforestation rates, the report said, has switched to natural gas, and has reduced its emissions growth over the last 10 years by 5%/year, or by 10 million tons of carbon/year. Emissions of CO2 from Mexico—which was the first large oil-producing nation to ratify the Kyoto Protocol—are projected to increase 69% by 2010. Alternate strategies, the report found, could cut this growth by 45%.

-- South Africa, the report noted, is "taking steps to phase out subsidies to its unusual, carbon-intensive coal liquefaction industry and open the country to natural gas imports." Through economic reforms and efficiency improvements, growth in emissions could be reduced by 3-4%/year by 2010.

-- As one of the fastest growing energy markets in the world, Turkey stands to increase its emissions nearly fourfold by 2020, the report said. "Planned privatization of government-run industries may close the most inefficient operations and modernize surviving ones," it said, adding, "Elimination of energy subsidies could stimulate conservation, reducing energy and emissions growth below current projections."