South Asian Business news and information

China and India, two of the highly industrialized countries of Asia, have targeted to reduce their green house gas emissions by using renewable energy. In a renewable energy conference held in London, the representatives of the two countries have declared their future plans about renewable energy. China is planning to increase its renewable energy production by 15% within 2020 and India within 2032.

China and India are world’s biggest green house gas producers. Majority of China’s land is arid, semi- arid lands and mountainous. Added with this, rapid industrialization and urbanization has far worsened the environmental condition of the country. The air pollution of China can be largely contributed to coal; China’s primary source of energy. At present, diseases related to air pollution have become a major cause of death. According to a report published in The China Post, till now, China has worked seriously to increase its GDP through industrialization. If the costs of environmental losses are properly included, then there would not be much growth.  In 2004, environmental pollution cost 3.05 percent of the country’s total annual out put.

India, like China, is also facing severe problems due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. India is now considered as one of the top five polluters of the world. In a recent report published in NDTV it is said that a very small rise in temperature could cause 2% fall in GDP.   

India and China are not the only countries suffering from environmental pollutions. Bangladesh, which is considered to be a least developed country, is also suffering from pollution caused by industrialization and urbanization. Personally, I am not against development or urbanization or industrialization but we have to consider the environment. No development can be possible by damaging the environment . I appreciate the steps India and China has taken to produce renewable energy. I hope other countries would follow their footsteps.