Saudi Arabia
INTERVENTION BY SAUDI ARABIA
CSD 14
New York ? May 4, 2006
Afternoon Session (Room 4)
Thematic Discussion: Addressing inter-linkages between Climate Change
and sustainable development
We are talking about climate change, and with us on the panel are some of the
pillars of knowledge in that area. So let me start by appreciating their presence
and thanking them for their informative presentations.
The question is dealing with GHG emissions. At the beginning of this session we
heard that emissions are projected to increase by 50% by 2025, this is largely
due to the increase in world energy demand, in the quest for sustainable
development and prosperity.
A known fact that I have stated in previous interventions is that fossil fuels will
continue to dominate 80% of energy supply into coming decades. So we are
back to emissions; and the required mitigation.
We have sources and sinks, Costa Rica highlighted earlier how deforestation is
exacerbating the problem of emission by reducing sinks. I read one study that
suggests that deforestation contributes more to climate change than fossil fuels.
Action is required to strengthen the future commitments in that regard to combat
deforestation, particularly under land use, land use and forestation.
Mr. Pershi ng highlighted the trillions of dollars needed. And the question was
raised on how do we direct and make investment decisions.
As fossil fuels are going to stay with us for the foreseeable future, because
development needs dictate so, more investment is needed in cleaner fossil fuels,
and on zero emission energy from fossil fuels through carbon capture as storage.
A technology that has the potential to reducing 21?45% of global CO2 emissions
by 2050, as per the IPCC Special Report; that a lot of tonnage!
Support for such technologies should be enhanced through CDM and other
possibly new and additional funding mechanisms through the climate change
convention and other means. We look forward to discussing this further in Bonn,
while respecting the common but differentiated responsibilities, as highlighted by
South Africa.
When we look at the portfolio of mitigation options, we need to honest in
evaluating two tings:
1. how much tonnage of reductions are we achieving per dollar spent
2. does our choices have negative impacts on countries? development paths,
or are they win-win solutions
Mr. Chairman, allow me to touch back on the Boat Analogy you started earlier, I
have but to say that this boat (taking us on the development journey) has a long
distance to go, and nothing will plug the leaks better or faster than investments in
cleaner fossil fuel technology and CO2 sequestration. And I believe this boat,
although a unique one, is also running on liquid fuel oil.
CSD 14
New York ? May 4, 2006
Afternoon Session (Room 4)
Thematic Discussion: Addressing inter-linkages between Climate Change
and sustainable development
We are talking about climate change, and with us on the panel are some of the
pillars of knowledge in that area. So let me start by appreciating their presence
and thanking them for their informative presentations.
The question is dealing with GHG emissions. At the beginning of this session we
heard that emissions are projected to increase by 50% by 2025, this is largely
due to the increase in world energy demand, in the quest for sustainable
development and prosperity.
A known fact that I have stated in previous interventions is that fossil fuels will
continue to dominate 80% of energy supply into coming decades. So we are
back to emissions; and the required mitigation.
We have sources and sinks, Costa Rica highlighted earlier how deforestation is
exacerbating the problem of emission by reducing sinks. I read one study that
suggests that deforestation contributes more to climate change than fossil fuels.
Action is required to strengthen the future commitments in that regard to combat
deforestation, particularly under land use, land use and forestation.
Mr. Pershi ng highlighted the trillions of dollars needed. And the question was
raised on how do we direct and make investment decisions.
As fossil fuels are going to stay with us for the foreseeable future, because
development needs dictate so, more investment is needed in cleaner fossil fuels,
and on zero emission energy from fossil fuels through carbon capture as storage.
A technology that has the potential to reducing 21?45% of global CO2 emissions
by 2050, as per the IPCC Special Report; that a lot of tonnage!
Support for such technologies should be enhanced through CDM and other
possibly new and additional funding mechanisms through the climate change
convention and other means. We look forward to discussing this further in Bonn,
while respecting the common but differentiated responsibilities, as highlighted by
South Africa.
When we look at the portfolio of mitigation options, we need to honest in
evaluating two tings:
1. how much tonnage of reductions are we achieving per dollar spent
2. does our choices have negative impacts on countries? development paths,
or are they win-win solutions
Mr. Chairman, allow me to touch back on the Boat Analogy you started earlier, I
have but to say that this boat (taking us on the development journey) has a long
distance to go, and nothing will plug the leaks better or faster than investments in
cleaner fossil fuel technology and CO2 sequestration. And I believe this boat,
although a unique one, is also running on liquid fuel oil.
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