Canberra Times
Tuesday 22/9/2009 Page: 9
Greenhouse gas emissions had fallen because of the global downturn, handing the world a chance to move away from high-carbon growth, a report said yesterday, citing an International Energy Agency study. The unpublished energy agency study found carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels dropped significantly this year - further than in any year in the past four decades. Falling industrial output is largely responsible for the plunge in emissions, but other factors also played a role, including shelving plans for new coal-fired power stations because of falling demand and lack of financing. International Energy Agency chief economist Faith Birol said, "We have a new situation, with the changes in energy demand and the postponement of many energy investments. "But this only has meaning if we can make use of this unique window of opportunity. That means a deal in Copenhagen."
The December meeting in Copenhagen, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aims to set down action for tackling heat-trapping carbon emissions beyond 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol provisions run out. Government policies to cut emissions have also had an impact on emission levels, with the energy agency estimating about a quarter of the reduction is the result of tougher regulation. The study is an excerpt from the Paris energy agency's annual World Energy Outlook, which will be published in November. The excerpt will be issued early next month ahead of the Copenhagen meeting. The report comes as world leaders converge on New York and Pittsburgh this week for pivotal talks in the effort to remake global climate rules, ahead of Copenhagen. Mr Birol said a global agreement was needed in Copenhagen to encourage companies to cut emissions.
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