Wind energy can meet 65 percent of tabled
2020 emissions cuts by rich nations: GWEC
COPENHAGEN, Dec 14, 2009 -- Xinhua
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) on Monday released calculations
showing that wind energy alone could achieve up to 65 percent of the
emissions reductions pledges by industrialized nations.
"Wind power is rapidly emerging as a key technology towards a low
carbon, resource efficient green economy," said Achim Steiner, UN under
secretary general and executive director of the UN Environment Program (UNEP),
told a joint press conference of the UNEP and the GWEC in Copenhagen.
In the GWEC's most ambitious scenario for wind energy development, wind
could produce 2,600 terawatt hours of power and save 1.5 billion tons of
carbon dioxide in 2020, which would represent between 42 percent and 65
percent of the emissions cuts pledged by developed countries.
A UN panel of climate scientists were proposing a 25-40 percent cut in
carbon emissions by rich nations by 2020 in order to keep global warming
under control. According to the GWEC, global wind energy alone could
contribute 34 percent of a 25 percent emissions reduction and 21 percent
of a 40 percent reduction.
GWEC Secretary-General Steve Sawyer called on developed countries to
"substantially" raise their pledges on emissions reduction and
assistance to developing countries' emissions reduction programs.
The United States has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 17
percent from 2005 levels by 2020, equivalent to a reduction of 4 percent
compared with 1990 levels. The European Union has committed to a
reduction of 20 percent from 1990 levels and promised to raise the goal
to 30 percent if others also aim high.
"The economics and the benefits of renewables and in particular wind
power are becoming increasingly convincing -- Copenhagen is the moment
for governments and world leaders to match this reality with convincing
decisions on emission reductions, financing and technology," said
Steiner.
A total of 110 heads of state and government will convene in Copenhagen
later this week for a climate summit to endorse efforts on reaching a
deal to fight global warming.
News Provided By
|