Climate mitigation and the energy challenge: A paradigm shift

A maximum temperature increase of 2o C above pre-industrial levels is the consensus target established by the scientific community for stabilizing carbon concentrations at a level that prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system. At the same time, developing countries need to achieve a sustained catch-up growth rate of 6-8 per cent per annum to close the income gap with countries at the top of the development ladder. These two broad objectives frame the mitigation challenge facing policymakers at the national and international levels. The present chapter attempts to detail mitigation options that are consistent with convergent economic growth in developing countries.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development