by Carbon Extra editor and journalist Deborah Nesbitt
18 December 2009
Prof Ross Garnaut says he detects growing confidence in China the nation can achieve meaningful cuts in GHG emissions by adopting renewable energy and new technologies.
In a speech at the Washington-based Petersen Institute for International Economics, Garnaut said there had been a “dramatic change” in the tone of discussions in China on mitigation policies in the past two years “and especially over the past year”.
“There is growing confidence the role of alternatives to coal can be expanded quickly, with inefficient coal mines being closed at an impressive rate for [several] policy reasons, including climate change mitigation. There is growing confidence the energy intensity of production, more or less stable in the first six years of the 21st century, can be kept on a new downwards trajectory.”
Manufacturing efficiency improvements had boosted confidence, bringing down the cost of low-emission technologies.
“There is considerable excitement about progress on wind and solar manufacturing costs and the electric car.”
The developments had made possible China’s commitment to reduce its carbon-emission intensity by 40%-45% on 2005 levels.
Garnaut said people disappointed about the commitment to cut emissions intensity, rather than absolute GHG levels, misunderstood the “whole framework of international discussion so far” on climate change.
China’s announcement made it more likely other large developing nations, eg Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa and India, would move closer to firm commitments.
