This document shows that increased industrial energy efficiency is one of the most promising routes to sustainable industrial development worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Industry remains among the most energy-intensive sectors: its contribution to global GDP is lower than its global share of energy consumption. Industrial processes have an estimated technical efficiency potential of 25–30 per cent. That means that adopting best available technologies and related business and engineering practices could eventually enable industry to lower emissions of greenhouse gases and combat climate change and also reduce other pollutants. The energy savings could be redirected to meeting social needs for access to energy, particularly acute in developing countries, and could help companies everywhere to improve their bottom line.
This report identifies the broad range of policy measures required by national or federal governments to promote and facilitate the greening of industries. It has been prepared as part of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Green Industry initiative, which focuses on ways that developing countries can green their industries and accelerate growth in their environmental goods and services sector. One of the key objectives of the initiative is assessing the effectiveness of governments in developing countries in supporting the greening of their industries through national strategies, policies and integrated governance structures.
This overview, followed by five supporting reports, identifies these challenges of tomorrow, points to key choices ahead, and recommends not just what needs to be reformed, but how to undertake the reforms. The overview is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter examines the characteristics of Chinas development since 1978; considers future opportunities, challenges, and risks; and describes a vision of China in the year 2030. The second chapter maps a new strategy that will realise this vision, focusing on the key choices ahead for China to sustain rapid economic and social development and become a modern, harmonious, and creative high-income society before 2030. Chapters three to eight elaborate on each of the six pillars of the new strategy: consolidating Chinas market foundations; enhancing innovation; promoting green development; ensuring equality of opportunity and social protection for all; strengthening public finances; and achieving mutually beneficial win-win relations between China and the rest of the world.
As the global population heads toward 9 billion by 2050, decisions made today will lock countries into growth patterns that may or may not be sustainable in the future. Care must be taken to ensure that cities and roads, factories and farms are designed, managed, and regulated as efficiently as possible to wisely use natural resources while supporting the robust growth developing countries still need. Economic development during the next two decades cannot mirror the previous two: poverty reduction remains urgent but growth and equity can be pursued without relying on policies and practices that foul the air, water, and land.
The report discusses two crucial questions: How do “green” and “growth” hang together in practice? How will green environmental policies affect GDP growth, employment, and international competitiveness?
The report’s overarching finding is that policies to increase energy efficiency have substantial potential for green growth. A successful green growth policy will require South Africa to have solid, well-thought, and distinct policy agendas if it is to better pursue its growth and environmental objectives. While green policies can have large synergies and co-benefits with the growth and employment agendas, they are no substitute for it.