Lanka could slash carbon emission levels by 2020
Sri Lanka could slash its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 19% of
projected levels in 2020 at little or no long-term cost using an array
of green power options, said a new study from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB).
“Sri Lanka has the potential to avoid emissions of over 5.6 million
tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020 out of projected output of
nearly 30 million tons by adopting green power technologies and
improving energy efficiency,” said Principal Climate Change Specialist
with ADB's South Asia Department, Mahfuz Ahmed. “This course of action
would really help to lessen the country's reliance on imported fossil
fuels which are currently used to generate over half its electricity.”
The study, 'The Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in
South Asia', says without action to combat climate change, annual
energy-related GHG emissions in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and
Sri Lanka are set to rise from about 58 million tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent in 2005 to nearly 245 million in 2030.
In Sri Lanka, they will rise from about 10.5 million tons to over 57
million. Replacing conventional coal-based power generators with cleaner
burning equipment would contribute to the bulk of reductions in Sri
Lanka, while switching to Municipal solid waste-generated power instead
of fossil fuels would also be a major contributor. Other emission
reduction could come from adopting more energy-efficient refrigerators,
air conditioners, boilers, electric motors, vehicles and other
equipment.
Sri Lanka also has ample scope for bioethanol and biodiesel
production and wind power.
Introducing a carbon tax under a globally practised carbon market
regime, starting at $15 a ton, rising to $41, would also have beneficial
impact by encouraging a switch to cleaner energy technologies. Such an
approach could see Sri Lanka's cumulative GHG emissions from 2005 to
2030 drop by nearly 22% against business-as-usual output levels over the
corresponding period, the highest percentage drop across the five study
countries.
Achieving these emission cuts, however, will involve overcoming
long-standing challenges to clean energy development, which in the case
of Sri Lanka, includes a national grid that has technical limitations in
absorbing the total renewable energy potential and the absence of a
subsidised consumer finance scheme to support the widespread adoption of
home-based solar power systems.
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