(Photo credit: Cover of UNDP report)
Countries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region can no longer "grow first and clean up later", but will have to tackle the twin challenges of economic expansion and responding to climate change simultaneously. In its latest annual Asia-Pacific human development report, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) pointed out that countries in the APAC region are at a crossroads and must reduce poverty and increase prosperity, but ensure they leave a smaller carbon footprint.
Titled "One Planet to Share: Sustaining Human Progress in a Changing Climate", the report looks at development concerns ahead of the Rio +20 conference on sustainable development, that will take place in June.
As countries have to move towards lower-carbon production, build greener cities and raise rural resilience, cleaner and more efficient energy generation will be key in helping them achieve these goals, while lifting poorer populations out of poverty. Recommendations on promoting cleaner and more efficient energy generation and usage include:
Encouraging the transition to green and renewable technologies
Governments can institute regulations and offer fiscal incentives to encourage the private sector and individuals to switch to green technologies, and redirect subsidies away from fossil fuel use. For instance, China has set targets in its 12th Five-Year Plan aimed at improving industrial energy efficiency and lowering emissions. One such target aims at cutting CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 17 percent by 2015, compared with 2010. Malaysia has set a target to produce 5.5 percent of total electricity generation from renewable sources by 2015, while countries like India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand have introduced feed-in tariffs to encourage private investment in renewable energy.
Reducing industrial emissions
Legislation can promote reuse and recycling in industrial production, with technology and finance support provided to "green" small businesses.
Improving prospects of rural and urban poor
Governments can help their poor populations with access to modern energy services such as electricity and cleaner cooking fuels that are affordable and reliable. China, for example, has started a Green Lighting Programme based on compact fluorescent lamps. Since these lamps have been used mainly by richer urban consumers, in 2008, the government started to subsidise compact fluorescent lamps to make them more affordable.
Harnessing more sources of finance and boosting trans-boundary cooperation
Whether they are domestic or international, public or private, different sources of finance can catalyse initiatives in emissions trading, for instance. Countries can also work together to share experiences and best-in-class approaches to tackling climate change challenges.
Strengthening the awareness of citizens
A country's efforts to promote sustainable development will be strengthened by the attitudes and actions of its citizens. Promoting accurate information on climate change and product labelling to include energy efficiency and waste reduction will help citizens make "greener" choices. In India, New Delhi's environment department has been engaging the youth by establishing educational eco clubs, while in South Korea low CO2 labels can be found on 220 products, including furniture, rice and electronics.
The full report can be accessedhere.
Adapted from the UNDP Asia Pacific Human Development, the report highlights that Asia Pacific will have to tackle the twin challenges of economic expansion and responding to climate change simultaneously. The report was first published on 19 April 2012.
BY : United Nations Development Programme