As the global economy moves to focus on the environment in the face of climate change, green energy alternatives are being discussed and implemented at a fascinated rate. Many countries are already almost completely off of the grid, helping to reverse carbon emissions globally. However, many countries do not have the capital to perform such a transformation, and are left struggling to keep up. In a world where fossil fuels are running out and climate change is at our doorstep, how do we help these countries implement green energy into their infrastructure?
In order for a country to implement new green infrastructure, capital must be repurposed, taking it away from other possibly more important goals. Solar panels, hydroelectric plants, and nuclear plants are not cheap to make, and definitely not cheap to maintain. However, the capital generated and the costs avoided by having these commodities are the path to great economic prosperity. Not only are carbon emissions lowered, but the demand for fossil fuels would fall. However, in countries that already have struggling economies due to colonization and resource exploitation, it is extremely difficult to focus on renewable energy. As a result, it is necessary for international support for these countries to work on green energy goals.
There are four main methods that the UNEP has identified in order to combat this issue: the use of taxes, cap and trade, NGOs, and carbon offsets. The UNEP identified carbon taxing and other forms of taxation to raise funds for domestic green projects and to deter carbon emissions. By implementing a tax, companies and individuals would be compelled to lower their emissions to avoid paying the tax, and if they decide to ignore the regulation, the tax they pay would be repurposed to fund green goals. This method of taxation is beneficial either way, and forces a positive outcome. In addition to taxation, cap and trade was also suggested in the committee as an incentive towards green action. The gist was the same: if a company goes over the cap, they have to pay, but if they meet a certain goal they receive compensation. As an incentive, this was a much friendlier way to get companies to lower emissions. Both methods work hand in hand very well, and were an important step for UNEP in helping countries fund green diversification projects.
The use of NGOs and carbon offsets was another interesting motion that swept through the debate, and it was a clear agreement that both of these assets should be used. NGOs, specifically Conservation International, were called upon to help provide funds, research, and policy to countries in need of assistance. CI runs the Carbon Fund, the Debt-for-Nature swap, and the Conservation Fund, all three of which work similarly: a fund supported by a group of sponsors helps support green goals around the world. CI also has researchers and policy workers working in over 30 countries worldwide, research proper methods for green energy implementation and providing research to policy makers and legislation to help them make the best decisions. CI believes that, with all of the information and research under their belt, decision makers can make better decisions for their economy and for the environment. Furthermore, CI has policy workers working directly with world leaders, guiding their decisions towards a greener planet. Lastly, CI and many other NGOs provide Carbon Offsets, which companies and countries can purchase to offset the amount of carbon they are emitting. This is a way for countries to get otherwise unattainable funding for green projects, the to help them kickstart their economy. The creative solutions proposed by the delegates and the generous work of CI and many other NGOs will help developing countries join the effort in stopping climate change for good, through a healthy and diversified economy.
In order for a country to implement new green infrastructure, capital must be repurposed, taking it away from other possibly more important goals. Solar panels, hydroelectric plants, and nuclear plants are not cheap to make, and definitely not cheap to maintain. However, the capital generated and the costs avoided by having these commodities are the path to great economic prosperity. Not only are carbon emissions lowered, but the demand for fossil fuels would fall. However, in countries that already have struggling economies due to colonization and resource exploitation, it is extremely difficult to focus on renewable energy. As a result, it is necessary for international support for these countries to work on green energy goals.
There are four main methods that the UNEP has identified in order to combat this issue: the use of taxes, cap and trade, NGOs, and carbon offsets. The UNEP identified carbon taxing and other forms of taxation to raise funds for domestic green projects and to deter carbon emissions. By implementing a tax, companies and individuals would be compelled to lower their emissions to avoid paying the tax, and if they decide to ignore the regulation, the tax they pay would be repurposed to fund green goals. This method of taxation is beneficial either way, and forces a positive outcome. In addition to taxation, cap and trade was also suggested in the committee as an incentive towards green action. The gist was the same: if a company goes over the cap, they have to pay, but if they meet a certain goal they receive compensation. As an incentive, this was a much friendlier way to get companies to lower emissions. Both methods work hand in hand very well, and were an important step for UNEP in helping countries fund green diversification projects.
The use of NGOs and carbon offsets was another interesting motion that swept through the debate, and it was a clear agreement that both of these assets should be used. NGOs, specifically Conservation International, were called upon to help provide funds, research, and policy to countries in need of assistance. CI runs the Carbon Fund, the Debt-for-Nature swap, and the Conservation Fund, all three of which work similarly: a fund supported by a group of sponsors helps support green goals around the world. CI also has researchers and policy workers working in over 30 countries worldwide, research proper methods for green energy implementation and providing research to policy makers and legislation to help them make the best decisions. CI believes that, with all of the information and research under their belt, decision makers can make better decisions for their economy and for the environment. Furthermore, CI has policy workers working directly with world leaders, guiding their decisions towards a greener planet. Lastly, CI and many other NGOs provide Carbon Offsets, which companies and countries can purchase to offset the amount of carbon they are emitting. This is a way for countries to get otherwise unattainable funding for green projects, the to help them kickstart their economy. The creative solutions proposed by the delegates and the generous work of CI and many other NGOs will help developing countries join the effort in stopping climate change for good, through a healthy and diversified economy.