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Low Carbon Development Strategy highly unlikely
Dear Editor,
The development of a Low Carbon Strategy by Guyana is commendable, but the success of this strategy seems to be highly unlikely.
The industrialised world seems to be more focused on policy intervention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Both developing and developed countries are concerned about the deadly effects of climate change and support efforts to mitigate the harsh effects of climate change, but their actions to do so are different.
Developed countries are more focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while developing nations are focused on establishing strategies to combat climate change, which involves battling poverty and contributing to their development and growth, which seems to be secondary for developed countries.
Presently, Beijing is pressuring China to commit to hard numbers on greenhouse gas emission, while the United States is urging China to focus on renewable energy. The United States also prefers to focus on reducing greenhouse emissions through regulating industries, rather than financing standing forests for carbon credits. The US is attempting to bring together industry leaders to form working groups to share best practices to reduce greenhouse emissions. In Bali, the US pushed issues like sustainable forestry, and improved access to clean technologies.
The lesser developed countries are hesitant to commit to finance standing forests because proceeds can be used for their own domestic development rather than throw it towards the development of other developing nations.
There is also debate among the industrialised countries on establishing a ceiling on greenhouse gas output and to focus on low carbon growth. The investment in renewable energy, creating fervor for wind and solar power, seems to be priority in these countries. Attention is given to the ‘green stimulus measures’ which lay the groundwork for the promotion of development, fostering long-term economic growth using clean, innovative, resource efficient, low carbon technologies and infrastructure.
Japan stated that any new agreed framework must include all major emitting countries, if there is to be any success in ridding the world of greenhouse gas emissions. Japan presented a three-point proposal: (1) all major emitters must participate in the new framework for global reduction of emissions; (2) the framework must be flexible and diverse, taking into account the circumstances of each country; and (3) it must ensure compatibility between environmental protection and economic growth by utilising energy-saving devices and new technologies.
The Copenhagen agreement expected in December will succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol; the Copenhagen agreement would require 37 industrial nations to cut their emissions by a total of 5 percent from 1990 levels; but the Copenhagen discussions place limited priority on developing nations, including Guyana.
It appears therefore that since Guyana is not likely to benefit from any carbon revenues, then the Government needs to urgently fast track other income-generating avenues to improve Guyana’s development.
R. Budram
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