Some Sino-Indian Areas of Environmental Cooperation and Concern
24 May, 2001 · 501
Col PK Gautam calls for cooperation between India and China on Clean Development Mechanism in the long-term strategic interests
There are some common environmental interests between
India
and
China
. Comprehensive security suggests that these be discussed and deliberated upon to develop cooperative approach.
Kyoto
Protocol: Sino-Indian Cooperative Strategy
China
and
India
are blessed with abundant coal. Although half the
US
electricity is based on coal fired utilities, yet an accusing finger is being pointed at
China
for adding substantially to green house gases (GHG) as a result of its 70% reliance on coal for the power sector. The
US
withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol is based on the logic that countries like
China
and
India
cannot be exempted when they contribute substantially to GHG. Its other arguments for opposing the Protocol was the economic burden and the improbability of the US Senate ratifying it. It is a welcome sign that the EU has taken a positive approach by opposing the sudden turnaround by the
US
.
USA
was expected to cut or trade GHG emission by 7% below the 1990 figures by the year 2008-2012. Nothing has been done till now. It would now need to cut/trade emission by 30% to reach the target. This appears a gigantic task, more so when the
US
Secretary of Energy has estimated an increase in
U.S.
domestic demand of oil and electricity by 33% and 45% over the next 20 years.
The Hague
in November 2000 due to disagreements on the nature of the carbon cycle. This conference is now to reassemble at
Bonn
in July 2001 to steer the future of the planet.
India
and
China
need to cooperate and work out what is the best CDM which may be of long term strategic advantage. Coal washing as a traditional Clean Coal Technology (CCT) is one CDM, but critics point out that it may not be economical in the long run. Presently,
China
is taking steps to reduce the local effects of SO2 and acid rain. More sharing of information on advanced CCTs for CO2 reduction needs to proceed between
India
and
China
. Nuclear energy can also be another area, besides renewable energy technologies.
Brahamputra
River
in
Tibet
: Area of Concern
Yangtse
River
around 2009, the Tsangpo or Brahamputra river is planned to be tapped by
China
. The location is at Yalunzangbu Daxiagu at the largest river canyon before it enters
India
and Arunachal Pradesh. A 16 Km long tunnel is to be created using peaceful nuclear explosions (PNEs) through Namcha Barwa mountain at a U bend cum steep natural gradient that will have turbines to generate more than 30,000 MW of electricity. Later, the water is also planned to be diverted to
Tibet
and other water deficient parts of
China
under the strategy of ‘Move South Water North’.
India
. The tapping of the water may upset the fragile ecological balance of the
Brahmaputra
valley and basin. It will also affect the flow and balance in
Bangladesh
. There are disturbing reports that some Himalayan glaciers may melt as a result of global warming in the near term future. This further complicates the issue.
China
, India Bangladesh and even
Nepal
and
Bhutan
. Much depends on proper survey and environmental impact assessment. It would be in the interests of peace that the two giants exchange plans and ideas before implementation. Conflict and concern needs to be converted to cooperation.
Actually it is the rich who have created the problems of global warming due to excess GHG.
The Kyoto Protocol permits emission trading and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This means that, rather than curtailing its own emissions, it can invest and help developing countries in cutting down their GHG from power plants and so on. This is the cheapest option for them rather than curtailing their own emissions. Planting of trees or “sinks” to absorb carbon as carbon credits is another option. This could not be resolved at
Tapping and Diverting the
After completion of the Three Gorges Dam on the
Such a massive project using PNEs may have serious environmental implications for
There should be no environmental surprises which may lead to conflict between the neighbours later. If the project is without any complications environmentally then joint work may be carried out of share the electricity generated between
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