Stronger growth and safer climate possible: report
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 17, 2014
The UN chief said he looked forward to next week's climate summit, where leaders from Government, business, finance and civil society are expected to deliberate challenges and deliver recommendations on how to promote low-carbon growth.
Simply put, eradicating extreme poverty is not possible without fighting climate change. The two agendas must be pushed simultaneously.
Today's report does just that, he said. It sets out a detailed 10-point Global Action Plan of recommendations to achieve prosperity and a safer climate at the same time.
It emphasizes that over the next 15 years, about 90 trillion U.S. dollars will be invested in infrastructure in the world's cities, agriculture and energy systems. That is an unprecedented opportunity to drive investment in low-carbon growth and bring multiple benefits including jobs.
The Commission calculates that if fully implemented its recommendations could potentially achieve up to 90 per cent of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to avoid climate change. But this would require decisive and early action by economic decision-makers.
"Today we are giving 600 billion U.S. dollars in subsidies for fossil fuels, but only 100 billion U.S. dollars in support of clean energy every year. We are paying to pollute. That cannot continue," urged Mr. Calderon.
The report found opportunities to achieve strong growth with lower emissions in three key sectors of the global economy -- cities, land use and energy. But Governments and businesses need to improve resource efficiency, invest in infrastructure, and stimulate business innovation.
Building better connected, more compact cities based on mass public transport can save over $3 trillion in investment costs over the next 15 years. Restoring just 12 per cent of the world's degraded lands can feed another 200 million people and raise farmers' incomes by 40 billion U.S. dollars a year.
As the price of solar and wind power falls dramatically, over half of new electricity generation over the next 15 years is likely to be from renewable energy, reducing dependence on highly polluting coal.
Consistent Government policy signals are essential for businesses and investors to create low-carbon jobs and growth. By establishing a level playing field through an international climate agreement, Governments can unlock investment and innovation, states the report.
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