The Iea Greenhouse Gas RD Programme: International Initiative to Combat Climate Change

摘要

COP-3 established that nations would act together to combat climate change. Nevertheless, Kyoto was probably just the first step in a long process of addressing this problem. If one accepts the scenarios of IPCC, deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be needed if the world is to avoid major change in its climate. Most, but not all, of these emissions arise from use of energy, a commodity which is vital to modern society. To achieve reductions in emissions without affecting standards of living, will require extensive use of new and improved technology, by improvement in energy efficiency, change of fuels, introduction of new energy sources and abatement / sequestration of greenhouse gases. Some of these technologies are widely available now; others are in their infancy. In some cases, despite environmental benefit, the motivation for commercial development or deployment may be slight, since the technology will offer little or no competitive advantage to the user. Also, in the early days of a new energy technology, there may be few opportunities for full-scale investigation, so best use must be made of those which do occur. Many of these constraints on development may apply to the technology for capture and sequestration of CO_2 in its current state of development. Such characteristics also make a good case for co-operative action, to improve understanding of the technology options. In view of the nature of the problem, it is especially appropriate that such action be international.