The Potential for Worldwide Clean Energy Collaboration and Cooperation
Clean energy initiatives have been seen in thousands of miles (quite literally) in efforts. Unfortunately, progress is too often mired by pushes for oil drilling, such as the recently failed proposal by Shell. For almost all countries, fossil fuel-free nation status within a few years is likely unrealistic and unattainable. However, the eventual goal is neither uncalled for nor impossible. The major speed bump in this journey is the tired mindset that clean energy is a waste of money, while oil is cheap, easy, and profitable. What ensues is the seemingly paradoxical nature of energy habits in nations such as America — being one of the world’s pioneers in clean energy, while steadfastly trying to maintain an offshore drilling practice. Within this tug of war, one side will eventually give out. Hopefully, the Paris Climate Change Conference, to start in late November, will facilitate the uphill momentum of clean energy.
The countries receiving repeated attention and watchful eyes are almost always the same — United States, China, Middle Eastern countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia). One of the most remarkable and major collaborations currently underway is that between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and China. The EPA is partnering with China’s commissions, national ministries, provincial and special administrative regions, and other crucial stakeholders. Major Chinese bodies include the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and Ministry of Science and Technology. The joint effort between the world’s two largest economies underscores the nations’ commitments to long-term sustainability.
Multilateral efforts are crucial in igniting international attention on the issue. While the U.S. has its large share of allies and partners in world negotiations, the partnership with China provides the proposals with louder speakers. The Paris Climate Change Conference will take place from November 30th to December 11th. It is believed that the Clean Power Plan will have leverage in nations like France, where a global climate treaty could potentially be finalized later on. While the Clean Power Plan is the most prominent clean energy objective that is currently underway, other nations are engaging in like-minded initiatives. Many major economies have already vocalized their emissions reduction plans. Issues to be discussed and up for negotiation in Paris include the review and update of national emissions plans, financial pledges, and the legal form of the agreement. Those countries that have serious plans in terms of their policy work will be deemed more credible and more worthy of receiving assistance through negotiations.
Interestingly, other nations are viewing the issue through different lenses. Evidently, the world is aware of political opposition surrounding this issue in the U.S. — particularly within the Republican Party and the oil and coal industries. From a German news column, Der Spiegel, it is said that action from the U.S. is “too little, too late.” In the Gulf News (UAE), the U.S. was criticized for the long amount of time it took, as a world leader, in its “half-hearted approach to such reforms.” A correspondent from Australia’s The Sydney Morning Herald described American Republican politicians’ responses as “swift and savage.”
That line brings light to contentions between U.S. party lines. As commonly observed, there is a concrete divide in opinions about (and solutions for) climate change between the Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S. This divide is not nearly as severe in other countries; namely, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany. Sondre Båtstrand, a political scientist at the University of Bergen in Norway, found that the Republican Party in America is the only party to openly question climate science and to criticize political opponents for proposing solutions to climate change.
One of the conservative arguments in favor of environmentalism is the power of the free market. For instance, placing a tax on carbon would force polluters, rather than all taxpayers, to foot the bill for over-consumption. Incentives are already being provided on the alternative energy front. A healthy environment has the potential to contribute to economic prosperity. This potential simply needs to be recognized; from the decrease in a nation’s health problems to the myriad economic opportunities in the alternative energy sector. Liberal and conservative recognition of the issue — on a national and global scale — will enable the bipartisan progress needed to forge real change.
Britain has seen conservation measures arise from conservative leadership. David Cameron, Prime Minister of the UK, and his government, had set up a Green Investment Bank to generate renewable energy and to set up a program for new nuclear reactors. Unfortunately, a backtrack in Cameron’s renewable energy policies is taking place, likely to be attributed to the mounting pressures of contrasting viewpoints within the (Conservative) Tory Party. Even so, the forward efforts taken by Cameron highlight the notion that environmental conservation could and should be in everyone’s best interest.
Undoubtedly, the progress currently being made in clean energy is setting a precedent. Yet, barriers are to be overcome, and party lines will likely have to be crossed in doing so. It is through bipartisan and multilateral support that differences will be made within a local, national, and international scale. The Clean Power Plan, the U.S. partnership with China, and the Paris Climate Change Conference are all engines for clean energy initiatives and negotiations. After all, climate change is a global issue; it requires the support from nations, parties, and individuals seeking reward from risk — financial, political, or otherwise.
