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World economies must bypass carbon fuels and move rapidly toward technology that uses little to no carbon, ACT Alliance says, in light of the latest report by UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on mitigation and climate change. The report, being reviewed in Germany, highlights the urgency of cutting carbon emissions and includes a serious analysis of ways low carbon development technology can be implemented.
“With more and more people in both developing and western countries using more electricity, running more cars, using more computers – the indicators of so-called development - the carbon footprint is increasing,” ACT general secretary John Nduna says.
While development is needed to help people move out of poverty, to ensure their rights are meet and to provide food, protection, education and healthcare, it needs to be made sustainable, he says.
“We have the technology to promote green, sustainable development. Renewable energy, technology that uses energy efficiently and climate-friendly agriculture make it possible for countries to maintain – and improve – their standard of living without creating carbon emissions,” Nduna says.
ACT climate change advisory group co-chair, Mattias Söderberg, says traditional, fossil-based development is the easy way out. Alternatives to carbon exist. However, governments need to invest in green technology and make sure it is available where needed most.
With financial and technological support, developing countries can start introducing low carbon techniques, he says.
UN climate talks are expected to deliver a global, legally-binding agreement in 2015 that will drastically reduce carbon emissions and support developing countries in their efforts to take the low carbon path.
“Governments have now listened to the scientists. They have time to reconsider their positions before continuing the agreement negotiations,” Söderberg said.
“Low carbon development must become an idea that is entrenched in our personal lives and behaviour. It has got to transcend national and regional development programmes. A future using low carbon technology is no longer an option but a must for all people and all countries.”
