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Rajan Ahuja
C/o Realty & Verticals
J4/2, DLF- II , Gurgaon
e mail :-
rajan.ahuja@gmail.com
info@realtyverticals.com |
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Let there be Sunshine!
If you think that the progress
in Bali was mainly inconsequential, you may be right. The delegates have
agreed to negotiate and formulate comprehensive treaty to replace the Kyoto
Protocol which expires in 2012. They have shown resolve for the first time
to address deforestation, which contributes for one-fifth of the world’s
carbon dioxide emissions. China’s assurances notwithstanding, is projected
to overtake the United States as the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Other emerging powers have been told to indicate “measurable, reportable
and verifiable” emissions cuts.
But what lacks is a robust
tangible national and international strategy for a problem that is all
pervasive and supersedes national boundaries. The coming few months will
make the situation more defined, especially for the United States. Simple
Talk may not be the only thing which the world might be expecting out of
USA. In spite urgency shown by the European countries, the Americans totally
rejected the idea of setting even conditional targets for reductions in
emissions of greenhouse gases. Moreover they also refused to give a clear-cut
definite commitment on controlling America’s own emissions. If that’s the
way it goes there is little hope that other great emitters, including China,
will modify their ways.
But there is some comfort
in knowing that the energy bill approved last week included several provisions
that would reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil and its
output of greenhouse gases. An ambitious bill aimed at cutting America’s
greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent has been approved by a Senate committee
and may come to the floor next year. Despite deficient nature of the bill
will provoke intense debate and keep the hopes of the world alive, especially
when the whole the world is looking up to it for leading the way. Venture
capitalists have also invested funds into cleaner fuels. And rising public
opinion and concern which is has started gathering a storm.
Advancement internationally
will hinge heavily on whether Washington is ready to follow Europe’s instance
and enforce compulsory controls on emissions. Being one of the largest
emitter of heat-trapping gases, the United States cannot anticipate other
countries to make colossal investments in new and alternative ways of producing
and using energy unless it leads by example.
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Nations have failed to achieve
consensus in Bali on the move ahead. Should there be a global cap-and-trade
system. The bill represents an important primary step toward restoring
America’s credibility at a time when the world needs American leadership.
Invariably China and India
will have to be part of the scheme of things. Along with other developing
countries, both have been exempted from any commitments to reduce emissions
at Kyoto on grounds that the industrialized countries bore the heaviest
historical responsibility. No one knows for sure how far this plausible
rationale will go but it will be much easier to get China, India and others
to implement inclusive policies if the United States is also on board. |
The job is to make sure that
prosperous countries don’t get away with only making magnum-opus commitments
and that related funding for serious actions given at Bali are made available.
Most crucial will be adequate provision of subsidy for making it cost-effective
for producers in poor countries to deploy alternative technologies. Going
by the how the wind blows even intellectual property rights, specifically
removal of obstacles for up gradation and transfer of technology, could
be eased.
Let there be more sunshine
and clarity on the issue, as the whole world is waiting in anticipation
for the clouds to blow over.
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