13 May 2010 | Luca Del Buono
Climate Change, COP15, Energy, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America

 

In December 2009, the Copenhagen UN Climate Change Conference failed to produce a follow up treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. The only results of the conference, the Copenhagen Accord, showed a lack of commitment with no long-term goals. Recently the US has been slow to draw up a Climate Bill, it has finally been announced after a long wait and many setbacks. The world is left wondering whether a lack of climate policy will result in efforts to cut carbon emissions grinding to a halt.

American climate expert Lester Brown is of the opinion that reducing the world's carbon emissions is on track, with or without the US climate bill. He claims, "if we can get a good climate bill, then great. If we don't get one, it is not the end of the world." He advocates a strong belief that the pathway to success is not through treaties, or even a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, but through competition in developing new energy technology.

Edward Barbier agrees in part with this philosophy. He suggests that 'In the United States, the 'carrot' of subsidies for innovative energy technologies has long been more politically acceptable than the 'stick' of direct emissions policies.' It is evident that there are strong signs energy technology is being generated without the help of policies. However, Barbier also asserts that without supportive policies the upsurge of green spending will not last long-term.

Many businesses and grassroots movements have embarked on projects to create a green economy and cut carbon emissions, Brown believes it is only a matter of time before governments follow suit. The desire for energy security is a massive incentive for change and a push factor to leave fossil fuels behind.

Projects such as Desertec, which aims to power Europe with solar energy from the African desert, and many others including countries looking to introduce more wind and solar energy are still powering along without any input from climate legislation.

Grassroots movements have been opposing coal-fired power plants and have been successful in preventing the construction of new plants. Over the last two years coal usage in the US has dropped by 11 per cent. This is partly dependent on the recession but also potentially the 191 new wind farms built over that period.

In the last year the European Union have reported an 11 per cent drop in carbon dioxide emissions, which had only decreased by six per cent the year before. This decrease in emissions is partly due to the recession as it caused a drop in demand for energy and a decline in factory production. The subsequent rebuilding of the economy could be a fantastic opportunity to increase energy efficiency and create a green economy. Brown believes that new technologies will play a vital part in the transition to green energy and building an international economy that can maintain economic development.

Despite this Barbier's assertion that policies are needed to back this up is important to consider. The new US climate bill proposed by Senator John Kerry aims to cut US carbon emissions by 17% by 2020 and hopefully legislation such as this will help push the world's economy towards a more sustainable future. It is however reassuring to see that even without bills such as this, businesses and other entities is continuing to push towards a greener economy without the aid of climate policies.

 

Author: Rachael Bristow | Climate Action

Image: the russians are here | Flickr

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