Climate policy energy solutions for developing countries - be careful what you wish for

Abstract

IUCN Academy of Environmental LawIUCN Academy of Environmental Law Climate Law in Developing Countries post-2012: North and South Perspectives Climate Policy Energy Solutions for Developing Countries – Be Careful What You Wish For1 Key Words: EIA Imperatives; Renewables; Biofuels; Nuclear Energy; “Clean” Coal; Carbon Capture & Sequestration In the rush to find energy solutions for greenhouse gas emissions and to relieve the economic burdens and energy security problems of dependence on imported oil, alternative technologies are being advocated and even implemented on large scale without adequate technological or environmental assessments. Some of the alternatives actually can result in far greater greenhouse gas emissions than burning traditional fossil fuels. These problems occur pronouncedly, for example, with the contemplated conversion of coal into liquid transportation fuels and use of oil from shale or tar sands, among the most polluting and carbon-intensive fossil fuels. Pe