UNEP report highlights emissions gap
- By Chen Boyuan
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 6, 2013
Statistics show that Beijing was enveloped in hazardous smog for more than half of the days in October. The China Meteorological Administration said 40 percent of the capital's PM2.5 pollutants came from surrounding areas. Emissions reductions are still a great challenge for China.
"China, as with other developing countries, cannot afford a massive shutdown of small businesses to maintain sustainable growth," said Jiang, who noted that smaller developing counties, especially island nations, often have to choose between growth and pollution.
UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said the "lock-in" from the carbon-intensive and energy-intensive infrastructure would slow down climate-friendly technologies and narrow developmental choices.
"The stepping stone of the 2020 target can still be achieved by strengthening current pledges and through further action, including scaling up international cooperation initiatives in energy efficiency, fossil fuel subsidies reform and renewable energy," said Steiner.
But the UNEP still maintains a positive outlook about this challenge. Achim said that the 2020 target can still be achieved.
Studies have revealed that by spending up to US$100 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, emissions could be reduced by 14 to 20 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions (GtC02) compared with regular levels.
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