Decarbonisation in Developed vs Developing Countries

As the globe struggles with the increasing effects of climate change, urban areas have become vital arenas for environmental activism. Metropolitan regions are leading the charge to combat climate degradation, as they are responsible for more than 70% of worldwide CO₂ emissions.

The methodical reduction of carbon emissions from waste management, energy systems, transportation, and urban infrastructure is known as urban decarbonisation, and it is now critically important. However, due to differences in economic resources, technological prowess, infrastructure maturity, and policy frameworks, the paths to net-zero cities for industrialised and developing nations diverge significantly.

To hasten the global shift to sustainable, low-carbon urban environments, this article explores the divergent approaches to urban decarbonisation in developed and developing, looks at common issues, and suggests cooperative solutions.

As explained in previous articles, “urban decarbonisation” refers to a variety of tactics used to reduce carbon emissions in urban environments. These include electrifying public transportation, switching to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, enhancing building energy efficiency through smart technology and retrofits, and encouraging green infrastructure like parks and urban forests.

Furthermore, the implementation of circular economies—where trash is recycled or reused—is crucial. The ultimate objective is to attain net-zero emissions, in which carbon removal or sequestration is used to offset any residual emissions. Although this goal is universal, local circumstances influence how it might be accomplished; hence, it is crucial to compare and contrast initiatives in developed and developing countries.

Decarbonisation in Developed Countries: Advantages and Approaches

Developed nations, primarily found in the global North (such as Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and North America), have unique characteristics that make urban decarbonisation easier. These countries can carry out complex climate change programs because they have established infrastructure, significant financial resources, and cutting-edge technological know-how.

Established Infrastructure & Funding

Established cities frequently have established urban systems, such as vast road networks, energy grids, and public transit. But since a large portion of this infrastructure was constructed in the fossil fuel age, it must be retrofitted to meet decarbonisation objectives.

For example, North American cities are growing their metro and tram networks, whereas European cities are renovating their old buildings using energy-efficient materials. These initiatives are further supported by the availability of both public and private financing. While private investors finance advances such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, governments offer incentives for renewable energy projects.

Key Strategies

• Carbon Pricing & Emissions Trading Systems: By placing a price on carbon emissions, schemes such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) encourage reductions.
• Green Building Codes and Retrofits: Cities such as Stockholm retrofit more than half of their building stock due to strict requirements requiring energy-efficient designs.
• IoT and Smart Energy Grids -Driven Efficiencies: As demonstrated by Singapore’s smart city efforts, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology optimises energy utilisation.
• Clean Transportation and Renewable Energy Subsidies: Germany’s Energiewende initiative is one example of the many incentives for EV uptake and solar panel installations.

Examples

• Copenhagen, Denmark: Using district heating systems driven by wind turbines and waste incineration, as well as a world-renowned bicycle infrastructure that lowers car usage, Copenhagen is working towards carbon neutrality by 2025.
• New York City, USA: The “1.5°C-Aligned Climate Action Plan” of New York City, USA, aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through investments in renewable energy, green roof expansion, and public housing retrofits.

These instances demonstrate how wealthy countries use their resources to take the lead in combating climate change and establish standards for urban decarbonisation worldwide.

Decarbonisation in Developing Countries: Gaps and Opportunities

The situation is different for developing nations, which are mostly found in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Significant issues arise from the combination of rapid urbanisation and a lack of financial and technological resources. But these areas also offer exceptional chances to “leapfrog,” or avoid, conventional carbon-intensive growth routes.

Rapid Urbanisation with Limited Resources

Unprecedented urbanisation is occurring in developing nations, with cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Dhaka growing at startling rates. This expansion frequently takes place in the absence of proper infrastructure, such as dependable electricity or public transportation, which makes dependency on diesel generators and unofficial transportation networks worse.

The uptake of green technology is hindered by a lack of institutional capacity and limited access to climate finance. Furthermore, political unrest can thwart long-term climate plans, and many economies rely on fossil fuels.

Major Barriers

• Insufficient Access to Climate Finance: Demand is frequently not met by international finance, such as Green Climate Fund allocations.
• Limited Institutional Capacity and Technical Expertise: Implementation is slowed down by a lack of strong governance frameworks and skilled staff.
• Dependency on Fossil Fuels: Coal and oil are major sources of energy for industries and transportation networks in nations like South Africa and India.
• Political Instability or Inconsistent Policies: Climate initiatives might be derailed by frequent changes in government.

Opportunities and Strategies

Notwithstanding these obstacles, developing nations can accelerate their transition to low-carbon development by implementing affordable, scalable solutions that are specific to their needs:

• Adopting Decentralised Solar Mini-Grids: Off-grid solar systems, like those in rural Kenya, supply electricity to isolated locations.
• Encouraging Non-Motorised Transportation: With reasonably priced infrastructure, cities like Bogotá encourage walking and bicycling.
• Low-Cost Green Building Implementation: Using locally available materials, like bamboo in Indonesia, lowers emissions during construction.
• Putting Money Into garbage-to-electricity and Circular Economies: Initiatives in places like Pune, India, turn garbage into electricity to meet energy demands and reduce pollution.

Examples

• Lagos, Nigeria: With the help of international collaborations, the city is testing solar-powered marketplaces and electric buses to lessen its carbon impact in the face of growing urban growth.
• Bogotá, Colombia: TransMilenio, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, provides a low-cost, high-impact option that lowers emissions while providing daily service to millions of commuters.

These programs show how emerging nations can use local expertise and foreign assistance to innovate within limitations.

Key Differences in Decarbonisation in Developed vs Developing Countries

Their paths towards decarbonisation are influenced by the differences between developed and poor countries:

• Infrastructure: While developing nations can construct new, low-carbon infrastructure from the ground up, developed nations concentrate on retrofitting sophisticated but carbon-intensive systems.
• Funding Access: While impoverished countries mostly rely on foreign aid or loans, frequently with strict terms, developed countries have strong domestic and international funding.
• Technology Use: While low-cost, scalable innovations (like solar mini-grids) are prioritised in the South, high-tech solutions (like smart grids) predominate in the North.
• Policy Framework: While developing countries have inadequate or nascent regulatory frameworks, developed countries have robust climate legislation.
• Public Awareness: While economic survival frequently takes precedence over environmental considerations in the South, greater climate consciousness in the North fuels support for green measures.
• Emission Sources: While emissions in underdeveloped nations are dependent on production (industry, biomass, diesel), emissions in developed nations are derived from consumption (buildings, automobiles).

Common Challenges in Urban Decarbonisation

Cities around the world confront similar challenges despite their differences:

• Resistance to Behavioural Change: It’s still challenging to persuade locals to take up sustainable practices, such as driving less.
• High-Emission Industries’ Political Lobbying: The fossil fuel industry frequently opposes decarbonisation initiatives, influencing governments in both situations.
• High Upfront Costs: Despite long-term savings, initial investments in green infrastructure discourage action.

Cross-sector cooperation is necessary for effective decarbonisation because governments, corporations, and communities frequently do not coordinate well.

The Role of International Cooperation

Decarbonisation of cities cannot be achieved in a vacuum. Developed countries need to help developing nations in the following ways: – Green investment and climate finance: More money can be provided through mechanisms like the financial commitments made in the Paris Agreement to fill resource shortages.

• Technology Transfer and Innovation Sharing: The South can embrace renewable technologies more quickly if patents are shared.
• Building Capacity: Training initiatives for municipal officials and planners improve local knowledge.
• Climate justice and fair carbon trading: Fair carbon markets guarantee that developing countries are not disproportionately burdened.

This cooperation is made possible by international programs like C40 Cities, ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability), and the Global Covenant of Mayors, which promote information sharing and cooperative projects.

The Future of Net-Zero Cities: A Shared but Unequal Path

The urban environment of the twenty-first century will be shaped by the quest for net-zero cities. Developed nations are setting high goals and leading the way in innovations thanks to their resources and technological prowess.

However, the key to inclusive climate action lies with developing countries, given their expanding populations and potential for scalable solutions. A customised strategy that upholds local circumstances while advancing global equity is needed for the transition.

Developed Countries’ Role

Cities like New York and Copenhagen serve as examples of how decarbonisation may be accelerated through investment, policy, and public involvement. Their success comes from using the wealth and infrastructure already in place to finance ground-breaking initiatives, setting an example for others to follow.

Developing Countries’ Potential

The potential for leapfrogging is demonstrated by cities like Lagos and Bogotá, where scarce resources encourage innovative, affordable solutions. These cities can steer clear of the carbon-intensive routes that today’s developed nations have followed if they get international assistance.

Global Climate Justice

Climate justice is necessary to achieve net-zero worldwide, guaranteeing that emerging nations are not penalised for past emissions from the North. This is in line with the ideas of global climate justice and includes equitable access to technologies and financial support.

Conclusion

Every city’s contribution to urban decarbonisation is essential, whether it takes the form of a solar-powered market in Nairobi or a smart grid in Amsterdam. The disparity between industrialised and developing countries is a problem of planetary survival more than merely equity.

This gap can be closed by cooperative efforts based on mutual support and common objectives, opening the door to a sustainable urban future. A resilient, net-zero world, where no community is left behind in the fight against climate change, will be shaped by the lessons learnt from both hemispheres as cities adapt.

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