Achieving net zero requires a transformation of entire value chains, including how we produce, consume, and live.
Challenges Facing Emerging Countries
Advanced economies have the luxury of investing in improving production efficiency, transforming energy systems, and enhancing economic structures, where peak emissions are achieved without harming their economies.
However, for developing countries, the story is different. They have limited resources or budgets insufficient to utilize low-emission technologies or still rely on a fossil-fuel-based system to boost their economies.
A lack of capital makes it difficult for them to seize the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. They are trapped in a vicious cycle where their emissions are linked to their growth capacity.
The Importance of Emerging Countries’ Participation in COP28
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, known as “the most inclusive COP conference ever,” the world will have a final opportunity to bring emerging countries into the dialogue.
Note that 59 key emerging economies now dominate the increase in greenhouse gas emissions; they were responsible for about 39 percent of the global emissions increase between 2010 and 2018.
Without making it more sustainable or addressing their production and consumption, these countries will continue to increase carbon emissions.
At COP28, it is also essential to discuss financing and assistance to support the less developed but rapidly growing emerging countries.
Opportunities Available to Emerging Countries
Some of the largest opportunities lie in modernizing critical industrial infrastructure in sectors that are challenging to reduce emissions.
For example, the oil refining industry, the largest emitting industry in the world, is projected to see a 10 percent reduction in emissions from 2020 to 2030 if it can improve refining efficiency and modernize heavy oil processing technology.
Similarly, solutions such as thermal efficiency and carbon capture and storage, along with complementary cement materials, can significantly reduce emissions from the cement industry, which is responsible for 5 to 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions from human activity.
The transformation of the cement industry alone could reduce annual emissions from the global South by 65 percent by 2050 and its cumulative emissions by 48 percent compared to 2020.
Moreover, my ongoing research simulations regarding high-emission sectors in Chinese cities show that up to 31 percent of the country’s emissions could be reduced if a relatively small portion of the existing infrastructure were upgraded with the latest technologies.
Challenges Facing Advanced Countries
While COP28 is an opportunity to support developing countries, it is also a chance for advanced countries to reflect on themselves.
I have mentioned the importance of addressing production methods. However, equally important is changing human behavior and the socio-technological transitions, along with financial tools such as carbon pricing, as highlighted in the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
My ongoing research highlights the untapped potential for adopting low-emission lifestyle changes, which could reduce global emissions by nearly 20 percent.
Global dietary emissions, which contribute 30 percent of human emissions, could be reduced by 17 percent or 1.94 gigatons if the world could adopt the EAT-Lancet sustainable healthy diet.
These are enormous and particularly relevant opportunities for advanced countries.
Although developing countries may emit hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide annually from production, their per capita carbon footprint is minimal compared to advanced countries.
It is also noteworthy that the richest 10 percent of the world’s population are responsible for about half of global consumption-based emissions, while the poor, who make up 50 percent, contribute about 10 percent.
Research shows that…
This huge gap highlights the need for a comprehensive approach at COP28.
Summary
We know that developed countries will take their place at the table, as always, and there must be a strong focus on reducing consumption in these economies.
But what makes COP28 a game changer is that emerging countries will also find their voices heard – and we must listen.
Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2419431
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