Winds of Change : East Asia'sSustainable Energy Future

Wang, Xiaodong ; Berrah, Noureddine ; Mathur, Subodh ; Vinuya, Ferdinand

World Bank

关键词: ABATEMENT COST;    ABATEMENT COSTS;    ACID;    ACID RAIN;    AIR;   

DOI  :  10.1596/978-0-8213-8486-2
RP-ID  :  55551

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This report demonstrates that a"climate-smart" energy strategy is possible forcountries in the East Asia region, with support from theinternational community. In the past three decades, the EastAsia region has experienced the fastest economic growth inthe world, accompanied by rapid urbanization. As aconsequence, energy consumption has more than tripled and isexpected to further double over the next two decades. Thisremarkable growth and rapid urbanization have led to twinenergy challenges in the region: improving environmentalsustainability and enhancing energy security. The region hasmany of the world's most polluted cities, resultingfrom fossil fuel combustion. The region also contains someof the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world,although their per capita and historical emissions are muchbelow the levels of industrialized countries. Concerns withenergy security have grown because of increased risks ofprice volatility and possible disruptions in supplies foroil and gas. To move the region to a sustainable energypath, the commitment of the respective governments andcommunities is essential. The governments will needenergy-pricing reforms that no longer encourage the use offossil fuels, and put in place regulations and incentivesthat improve energy efficiency and support low-carbontechnologies. The governments also will need to ramp upresearch and development for new technologies to leapfrog tothe clean energy revolution. The countries cannot move to asustainable energy path alone. They will need the support ofthe international community. Substantial concessionalfinancing is essential to motivate energy efficiency andlow-carbon technology investments. Transfer of low-carbontechnologies and institutional strengthening also will be needed.