New phase of globalisation undermining emission reductions in industry

Carbon-intensive industries moving from China to less-developed regions like Vietnam and Bangladesh could be undermining global CO2 emission reduction efforts.

That is according to a new study by the University of East Anglia, which reveals that ‘South-South’ trade between developing nations more than doubled between 2004-2011.

CO2 emissions from Chinese exports have slowed or even reversed during that time, while those from other developing countries have surged, many of which rely heavily on high-carbon inputs like coal for production.

The study authors warn that this could seriously undermine international efforts to limit global warming, which increasingly rely on smaller nations cutting their emissions.

“The success of international climate mitigation efforts may depend on curtailing growth of coal-based energy and emissions in now-industrialising and urbanising countries,” said the study’s co-author, professor Dabo Guan.

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