Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), are significant contributors to adverse climate change, said the Economic Survey 2023-24 on Monday. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that CO2 can remain in the atmosphere for 300 to 1,000 years, exacerbating global warming and leading to severe environmental issues such as the melting of polar ice caps.
To combat these effects, global strategies focus on two main pathways: climate adaptation and climate mitigation. These strategies involve shifting away from fossil fuels, enhancing energy efficiency through innovative and environmentally friendly designs, adopting regenerative agricultural practices and protecting natural ecosystems, the Economic Survey 2023-24 said. The IPCC has quantified the remaining carbon space, known as the “carbon budget”, estimating that as of early 2020, the world has approximately 500 gigatonnes of CO2 left for a 1.5°C target and 1,150 gigatonnes for a 2°C target. The urgency to act is underscored by the IPCC’s warning of a rapidly closing window to secure a livable future.
Despite the clear need for action, current climate strategies have fundamental shortcomings, the the Economic Survey 2023-24 said. These strategies often overlook the interconnectedness of natural systems and human impacts. They tend to be prescriptive and fail to account for regional and contextual differences, neglecting local sustainability practices and lifestyle changes that could contribute to more effective solutions.
Key areas of concern
Energy substitution and resource extraction: The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, involves significant resource extraction. For instance, the production of solar panels and batteries requires materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel, which involve considerable environmental impacts including water usage and CO2 emissions. This reality reveals a paradox where the environmental cost of renewable technologies may sometimes rival or exceed that of fossil fuels.
Sustainability of renewable technologies: The lifecycle of renewable technologies from production to disposal can generate substantial emissions. For example, the production and disposal of solar panels and wind turbines involve significant environmental costs including land use and waste management issues. The efficiency of renewable energy is also challenged by its intermittent nature requiring expensive storage solutions and infrastructure changes.
Inequities and hidden costs: The extraction of materials for clean energy technologies often occurs in developing countries under poor labour conditions as seen in the case of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The benefits of clean energy can be overshadowed by the socio-economic and environmental costs associated with resource extraction and technology production.
Systemic challenges: The transition to renewable energy often disrupts existing infrastructures such as petrol stations and necessitates the creation of new ones such as charging stations for electric vehicles. This shift introduces hidden costs that are frequently not accounted for in lifecycle assessments, said the Economic Survey 2023-24.
The current climate strategies, while ambitious, are not without significant issues. They often fail to fully integrate the complexities of natural systems and the broader impacts of technology transitions, the Economic Survey 2023-24 said. Addressing climate change requires a more holistic approach that recognises these interconnections and considers both the direct and indirect effects of proposed solutions. Acknowledging and addressing these limitations is crucial for developing effective and sustainable climate policies.
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Economic Survey unmasks climate strategies, overlooked costs and complexities of going green
