Page 40 - Low Carbon Development in China and India
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emissions. In 2007, EU, in climate change negotiations, set a target that 1.0
the 2020 emission levels should be 20 per cent lower than that of 1990;
it has stated its intention of aiming for a 30 per cent reduction if other
countries, with high emissions, also commit to comparable emission
cuts and has also said that it would like to contain global warming
below an average temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius as a global
ambition.1 According to a 2010 report by the European Environmental
Agency (EEA), in 2009, the EU-27 emissions level stood approximately
17.3 per cent below the 1990 level, and therefore very close to the 20
per cent emission reduction target (European Environmental Agency
2012). Other analyses (Cranston and Hammond 2011) find that for
developing countries, even by the most optimistic scenario—IPCC
(IPCC 2000) B2—global carbon footprints could fall only around
2035. All these analyses suggest that given the level of development,
challenges regarding low carbon development measures by developing
countries are enormous.
Many developing countries have redefined the low carbon
approach with the view of emphasizing harmony with the over-riding
priority of poverty eradication and sustainable development. In the
developing country context, concepts around low carbon development
have clearly recognized mitigation as one of the outcomes but also
recognize the need to achieve sustainable development goals. The
Office of the President of Guyana describes ‘low carbon development’
as investing in infrastructure of low carbon economy, increasing input
of the capital and human resources to low carbon economy sectors,
realizing sustainable development of forestry-based economic sectors,
and improving human capital.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) conducted a poll
to capture global perceptions around low carbon/green growth.
It was conducted during the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
(DSDS) (31 January–2 February 2013) through an online survey. The
poll captured opinions of experts on the subject of inclusive green
growth for sustainable development and a total of 130 respondents
were approached, in person, during various events of the Summit and
other events at TERI. The respondents made a fair representation from
government, multilateral organizations, civil society, media, business
and industry, and research and academia. Out of the 124 respondents,
40 per cent were from Organization of Economic Cooperation and
1 Available at;
last accessed May 15, 2013.
Chapter 1 Dimensions of Low Carbon Development in China and India 5
the 2020 emission levels should be 20 per cent lower than that of 1990;
it has stated its intention of aiming for a 30 per cent reduction if other
countries, with high emissions, also commit to comparable emission
cuts and has also said that it would like to contain global warming
below an average temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius as a global
ambition.1 According to a 2010 report by the European Environmental
Agency (EEA), in 2009, the EU-27 emissions level stood approximately
17.3 per cent below the 1990 level, and therefore very close to the 20
per cent emission reduction target (European Environmental Agency
2012). Other analyses (Cranston and Hammond 2011) find that for
developing countries, even by the most optimistic scenario—IPCC
(IPCC 2000) B2—global carbon footprints could fall only around
2035. All these analyses suggest that given the level of development,
challenges regarding low carbon development measures by developing
countries are enormous.
Many developing countries have redefined the low carbon
approach with the view of emphasizing harmony with the over-riding
priority of poverty eradication and sustainable development. In the
developing country context, concepts around low carbon development
have clearly recognized mitigation as one of the outcomes but also
recognize the need to achieve sustainable development goals. The
Office of the President of Guyana describes ‘low carbon development’
as investing in infrastructure of low carbon economy, increasing input
of the capital and human resources to low carbon economy sectors,
realizing sustainable development of forestry-based economic sectors,
and improving human capital.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) conducted a poll
to capture global perceptions around low carbon/green growth.
It was conducted during the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
(DSDS) (31 January–2 February 2013) through an online survey. The
poll captured opinions of experts on the subject of inclusive green
growth for sustainable development and a total of 130 respondents
were approached, in person, during various events of the Summit and
other events at TERI. The respondents made a fair representation from
government, multilateral organizations, civil society, media, business
and industry, and research and academia. Out of the 124 respondents,
40 per cent were from Organization of Economic Cooperation and
1 Available at
last accessed May 15, 2013.
Chapter 1 Dimensions of Low Carbon Development in China and India 5
