Page 14 - Low Carbon Development in China and India
P. 14
FOREWORD BY
XIE ZHENHUA
Climate change, at present, is one of the most serious challenges
being faced by the world. It is not only an environment issue but
also a development issue, concerning future development space
of every country. Thus, cooperation among the international society is
needed to jointly address climate change.
The current concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide
has passed 400 ppm, whereas it was only 279 ppm in the 1750s.
The average global surface temperature has risen by 0.85 degrees
Celsius during 1880 to 2012. In recent years, global climate change
has caused frequent occurrences of various extreme climatic events,
incurring huge losses in economy, people’s lives, and properties in
every country, especially in developing countries, including China and
India. Both as large developing countries as well as emitters, China and
India are now in the development stage of rapid industrialization and
urbanization, and during the process are faced by multiple challenges
that include effective poverty eradication, control of greenhouse gas
emissions, protection of the environment and biodiversity, as well
as moving towards a future of low carbon sustainable development.
Meanwhile, achievements made by the two countries in addressing
climate change will significantly influence global efforts in realizing
the goal of limiting the average global surface temperature increase
of 2 degrees Celsius over the pre-industrial average. Thus, the two
countries have to achieve innovations in development pathways and
low carbon transition.
Initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
Low Carbon Development in China and India—Issues and Strategies is a
very helpful effort by Chinese and Indian think tanks to collaborate in
exploring new national development pathways as well as promoting
international cooperation in climate change. In this project, Chinese
and Indian experts have reviewed low carbon development strategies
and policies, as well as future emission trends in the two countries;
summarized current technology innovation and diffusion policies,
and provided recommendations on how to promote strategies,
policies, and international cooperation in low carbon technology
development between the two countries in the future based on case
studies; and conducted in-depth research in supportive financing
Foreword by Xie Zhenhua xiii
XIE ZHENHUA
Climate change, at present, is one of the most serious challenges
being faced by the world. It is not only an environment issue but
also a development issue, concerning future development space
of every country. Thus, cooperation among the international society is
needed to jointly address climate change.
The current concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide
has passed 400 ppm, whereas it was only 279 ppm in the 1750s.
The average global surface temperature has risen by 0.85 degrees
Celsius during 1880 to 2012. In recent years, global climate change
has caused frequent occurrences of various extreme climatic events,
incurring huge losses in economy, people’s lives, and properties in
every country, especially in developing countries, including China and
India. Both as large developing countries as well as emitters, China and
India are now in the development stage of rapid industrialization and
urbanization, and during the process are faced by multiple challenges
that include effective poverty eradication, control of greenhouse gas
emissions, protection of the environment and biodiversity, as well
as moving towards a future of low carbon sustainable development.
Meanwhile, achievements made by the two countries in addressing
climate change will significantly influence global efforts in realizing
the goal of limiting the average global surface temperature increase
of 2 degrees Celsius over the pre-industrial average. Thus, the two
countries have to achieve innovations in development pathways and
low carbon transition.
Initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
Low Carbon Development in China and India—Issues and Strategies is a
very helpful effort by Chinese and Indian think tanks to collaborate in
exploring new national development pathways as well as promoting
international cooperation in climate change. In this project, Chinese
and Indian experts have reviewed low carbon development strategies
and policies, as well as future emission trends in the two countries;
summarized current technology innovation and diffusion policies,
and provided recommendations on how to promote strategies,
policies, and international cooperation in low carbon technology
development between the two countries in the future based on case
studies; and conducted in-depth research in supportive financing
Foreword by Xie Zhenhua xiii
