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Energy needs 'to grow inexorably' | Energy needs 'to grow inexorably' |
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The global demand for energy is set to grow inexorably through to 2030 if governments do not change their policies, warns a top energy official. | The global demand for energy is set to grow inexorably through to 2030 if governments do not change their policies, warns a top energy official. |
Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said such a rise would threaten energy security and accelerate climate change. | Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said such a rise would threaten energy security and accelerate climate change. |
He said energy needs in 2030 could be more than 50% above current levels, with fossil fuels still dominant. | He said energy needs in 2030 could be more than 50% above current levels, with fossil fuels still dominant. |
Mr Tanaka was speaking at the launch of the IEA's World Energy Outlook report. | Mr Tanaka was speaking at the launch of the IEA's World Energy Outlook report. |
Rapid economic growth in China and India would be the main drivers behind the rise, he said as he unveiled the agency's annual flagship publication. | Rapid economic growth in China and India would be the main drivers behind the rise, he said as he unveiled the agency's annual flagship publication. |
"The emergence of new major players in global energy markets means that all countries must take vigorous, immediate and collective action to curb runaway energy demand," he warned. | "The emergence of new major players in global energy markets means that all countries must take vigorous, immediate and collective action to curb runaway energy demand," he warned. |
"Rapid economic development will undoubtedly continue to drive up energy demand in China and India, and will contribute to a real improvement in the quality of life for more than two billion people. | "Rapid economic development will undoubtedly continue to drive up energy demand in China and India, and will contribute to a real improvement in the quality of life for more than two billion people. |
"This is a legitimate aspiration that needs to be accommodated and supported by the rest of the world." | "This is a legitimate aspiration that needs to be accommodated and supported by the rest of the world." |
Rising emissions | Rising emissions |
The World Energy Outlook 2007 report warned that much of the increased demand for energy would be met by coal. | The World Energy Outlook 2007 report warned that much of the increased demand for energy would be met by coal. |
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7082475.stm">China 'to be top energy user' | |
As a result, energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could rise by 57% - from 27 giga-tonnes in 2005 to 42 giga-tonnes in 2030, it said. | As a result, energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could rise by 57% - from 27 giga-tonnes in 2005 to 42 giga-tonnes in 2030, it said. |
Even in the report's "alternative policy scenario", which takes into account the governments' proposed action to save energy and cut emissions, CO2 levels are set to rise by 25%. | Even in the report's "alternative policy scenario", which takes into account the governments' proposed action to save energy and cut emissions, CO2 levels are set to rise by 25%. |
But it offered a glimmer of hope within its "450 Stabilisation" case study. | But it offered a glimmer of hope within its "450 Stabilisation" case study. |
It described a notional strategy for governments to stabilise CO2 levels in the atmosphere at about 450 parts per million (ppm), which some scientists and policy makers suggest is an acceptable concentration. | It described a notional strategy for governments to stabilise CO2 levels in the atmosphere at about 450 parts per million (ppm), which some scientists and policy makers suggest is an acceptable concentration. |
"Emissions savings come from improved efficiency in industry, buildings and transport, switching to nuclear power and renewables, and the widespread deployment of carbon capture and storage," the report said. | "Emissions savings come from improved efficiency in industry, buildings and transport, switching to nuclear power and renewables, and the widespread deployment of carbon capture and storage," the report said. |
This approach would see global emissions peak in 2012 then fall sharply below 2005 levels by 2030, it suggested. | This approach would see global emissions peak in 2012 then fall sharply below 2005 levels by 2030, it suggested. |
But it added: "Exceptionally quick and vigourous policy action by all countries, and unprecedented technological advances, entailing substantial costs, would be needed to make this case a reality." | But it added: "Exceptionally quick and vigourous policy action by all countries, and unprecedented technological advances, entailing substantial costs, would be needed to make this case a reality." |
Mr Tanaka stressed the need for urgency in the battle against climate change: "We need to act now to bring about a radical shift in investment in favour of cleaner, more efficient and more secure energy technologies." | Mr Tanaka stressed the need for urgency in the battle against climate change: "We need to act now to bring about a radical shift in investment in favour of cleaner, more efficient and more secure energy technologies." |