Asian growth promotes climate change

Asia's rapid economic growth in recent years has contributed significantly to climate change and environmental pollution, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The atmosphere around a factory in Yutian City, Hubei Province, China became gray because of the emissions of this factory.

'We must increase our efforts so that Asia's economic development does not generate much carbon emissions. The high economic growth rate helps hundreds of millions of people escape poverty, while improving the standard of living of the entire continent. However, economic development is leading to environmental pollution, including an increase in greenhouse gas emissions , 'ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said in a forum on climate change at Philippines on June 17.

Currently, developing countries account for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, Kuroda said. Much of the emissions in these countries are generated during land use, energy exploitation and deforestation. 'If urgent measures are not taken now, Asia's rate of climate change emissions will rise to more than 40% by 2030' , he warned.

ADB is seeking to resolve the situation and has granted nearly 1.7 billion USD for clean energy development projects (such as building wind power plants) in China and India. 'Asian countries are also trying to find ways to develop their economy without causing climate change, including the development of renewable energy and environmentally friendly technology , ' Kuroda said.

Speaking at the forum, Eric Hall, a UN climate expert, affirmed that there are many encouraging signs of the prospect of an international agreement on climate change coming out this December. in Copenhagen (Denmark).