E.E: Doha, Qatar: COP18
In these past two weeks 194 delegates of 200 countries met in Doha, Qatar, for the Eighteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-18) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further tackle the on going problem of carbon dioxide emissions. Although efforts to decrease these emissions have been in place for several years now, in 2011 global emission jumped 3% from the previous years and scientists are confirming that 2012 will likely bring similar results. The world is reaching a point where if initiatives about this issue aren’t implemented soon, it will be harder to control when things exacerbate.
One central topic at the COP18 was energy efficiency and its importance to climate change mitigation as well as its potential to help the economy in other ways. December 3rd, Business Day at COP18, Phillips and Ecofys released an article on energy efficiency and its potential to reduce global energy bills, reduce capital investment in electricity generation in power plants, and create employment. On that same day, the panel “Forging a Pathway” discussed the importance of changing the current mindset from economic growth and employment to the economics of Climate Change and the economics of Energy Efficiency, which undoubtedly would bring growth and employment. For instance, if energy efficiency is increased in general electricity by just 1-2 percent per year, it would be equivalent to the production of 2,500 to 5,000 medium-sized power plants, which would in turn reduce capital investment of $1250 to 2500 billion by 2030 and could create 6 million jobs.
A greener economy would undoubtedly create opportunities for new technology, investments and jobs.
Since the Kyoto Protocol did not work as efficiently as one had hoped and it is coming to an end at the end of this year, there are talks of creating a new international Climate Treaty for everyone to sign by 2015 and be implemented starting in 2020!
The problem with the Kyoto Protocol is that countries that emit high numbers of carbon dioxide did not sign or signed but did not ratify, so while it is planning on being reinstated for a second term, more countries need to join and really commit to reducing their GHG emissions. Hopefully this time they will look into everything more seriously and change can finally come out of this because we certainly do not have the luxury to wait and see what happens. Until then, it may be a great idea for countries to revisit energy efficiency as a personal goal since much good can come out of it.
Although energy efficiency provides many challenges, it also provides sustainable smart solutions that could overall improve people’s lives!
Comments Off on E.E: Doha, Qatar: COP18 /
09 Dec 2012
por
Micaela Rossetti
IMSD /
.png)
].gif)
.png){kind=logo}
].png)
].png)
].png)
].png)
.png){kind=logo}
].png)
.png){kind=logo}
