WILL CHINA BECOME THE WORLD'S LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
After many years of being considered the carbon-emitting elephant in the room, now China is being touted as the new leader in green and carbon-reducing technologies. A new report produced by the Climate Group describes China's plans, spelled out in its 12th Five Year Plan covering 2011 - 2015 to curb its carbon emissions and set significant targets for low-carbon energy, energy efficiency and clean technology over the next five years.
On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with two of the authors of this report, Alison Hannon and Mark Kenber. We'll look at what kind of sustainability leader China can actually be, since it plans to downsize its carbon footprint by relying more heavily on massive hydro projects and nuclear power., while still depending upon coal for two-thirds of its energy generation.
Alison Hannon is the co-author of a new and comprehensive report Delivering Low Carbon Growth – A Guide to the 12th Five Year Plan which considers how the Chinese government will deliver real carbon savings that could begin to curb national green house gas emissions, unlock new investment opportunities and ensure that China is seen to be pulling its weight on international climate targets.
Mark Kenber has been deeply involved in a new analytical report India’s Clean Revolution which uncovers how India’s growing share of the 2.2 trillion (USD) global clean tech will pose a challenge to the EU, US and China. The report argues that by prioritizing bold low carbon policies and investing in clean energy now, India is creating a better, more prosperous future for its more than one billion people.