Emerging economies

The 12^th annual conference stressed the positive interaction between climate change action in the West and necessary steps in the emerging economies, led by China and India.

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Katinka Barysch, Prof. Edward Krubasik & Jonathan Brearley

Nick Butler, Director, Centre for Energy Security and Sustainable Development, Cambridge University

World must face 'cold reality', Butler warns

“Policy can only be based on cold reality. If you look at the attention given to global warming you’d think it was on the way to being solved. This is not true. Global energy demand is growing by 3% a year, much faster than predicted. In 2001 no-one would have forecast the fastest world economic growth for 100 years. International demand for fossil fuels is rising at 4% a year, 72% of that is from China.” 

WHAT NICK BUTLER SAID

Fossil fuels growth surging ahead “World energy demand will rise 50% in next 20 years, but the growth is not in renewables but in fossil fuels. Renewables including nuclear and hydro make up 1% of world energy at present and will double to 2% in next 20 years.”

Climate change impact felt now  “Impact is not in 50 years, it happens now. Since 1980 we have had 23 of the  24 years that have been the warmest since records began. A two-degree increase in world temperatures is now inevitable.”

International agreement a long way away  “We can build a wall around Singapore, cannot build a wall round India and Bangladesh. It is an illusion that we are on the way to agreement, Berlin and Bali will produce problematic and weak agreements.”

German diplomat calls for 'good example'

Dr. Eckhard Lübkemeier, German Embassy to the UK

“If we don’t take action in the industrialised West, who will do it? The rich countries need to set a good example in sustainable solutions so that the whole world can benefit.”

Brearley says: 'Right policies enhance bargaining'

Jonathan Brearley, Director, Office of Climate Change, Defra  

“Developed countries have to lower emissions by 50%. We can reduce costs of combating global warming more quickly if it is not left solely to the market to carry out the work. Public policy has an important role. A credible and effective framework for emissions trading needs to be made to work.”

Morgan calls for change in energy policy

Trevor Morgan, Senior Economist, International Energy Agency  

“Energy policy-making needs to be revamped. Annual energy subsidies are $20-30bn per year for OECD countries, $250bn for non-OECD countries. China and India make it more important for us to take a lead. Outreach to India and China is important. We can help them with technologies that are more offensive.”

Athanas  hails 'virtuous cycle' in energy

Andrea Athanas, Senior Programme Officer, The World Conservation Union (IUCN)

"There is a trade-off between energy agenda and other agendas. Hydroelectric schemes can cause droughts. We need to shift to a virtuous cycle in the interaction between the effect of climate change on ecosystems, and the new forms of energy balance that we must aim to achieve."