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Climate Change Luminary Lights Up the Way to Carbon Footprint Reduction | |
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Professional Sharing Series: Extensive media coverage on the effects of climate change has drawn a host of reactions, ranging from alarmist predictions about our planet's future to scientific debates questioning the validity and plausibility of such claims. With climate change politics coming to the fore, a strong and refreshing voice emerged that spoke of the relative reluctance of corporate entities in adopting carbon-cutting policies. Expounding on the science behind effective carbon management, Dr Sebastien Raoux offered practical advice on balancing developmental needs with the reduction of carbon emissions.
The enlightening lecture took place on 12 March 2010 at the Professional Sharing Series (PSS) organised by the Singapore Environment Institute (SEI). An eminent CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) expert and environmental scientist, Dr Sebastien Raoux related to a fascinated audience his knowledge as an inventor of 20 patents and author to 30 academic papers. Dr Raoux was also co-author of the landmark 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories for the electronics industry, a substantial contribution to the work of IPCC that eventually won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Arising from his contribution towards establishing sound emissions trading guidelines that made CDM projects productive and worthwhile, emission trading markets in Europe grew more vibrant and robust, thus paving the way for a low carbon pathway elsewhere in the world. After meeting up with DSEI to exchange views on the latest in climate change issues, Dr Raoux delivered his lecture to more than 150 participants comprising industry executives, engineers and business professionals from leading MNCs and major energy consumers. Dr Raoux shared his expertise on carbon trading methodologies gathered from years of research, and dished out several carbon monitoring practices to an eager audience.
In his lecture, Dr Raoux gave an overview of the various emissions trading markets active in the world economy today. Reflecting upon the outcomes of the Copenhagen Summit last year, he felt that it was very difficult for all countries to come to a consensus on emissions cut targets. Instead it was more likely that countries with converging climate interests would rally together to form their own emissions trading platforms, leading to increasingly fragmented regimes. Dr Raoux then went on to analyse the respective climate positions held by the developed, developing and advanced economies, their impact on the global demand for carbon credits, and the outlook of CDM projects undertaken in those economies. In order to stretch the investment dollar, he stressed the importance of having a good understanding of carbon trading methodologies as applied in local conditions, and the varying capabilities of the carbon abatement technologies deployed. The Q&A that followed saw members of the audience posing quality questions, which drew impressive responses from Dr Raoux. The audience liked his critical analysis of the current climate debate. The majority felt they were able to better appreciate the complexity and dynamics of CDM implementation. Some thought they benefited from his extensive research on cost-effective carbon trading, which had led to a strong business case for CDM. Dr Raoux’s delivery was timely in addressing the concerns of companies who had invested heavily in carbon abatement solutions. He encouraged them to refine their monitoring methodologies to improve accuracy in projected emissions credits. Till today, many companies remain at the crossroads, unsure if they should take the plunge into CDM. Although a typical CDM project can take several years to generate returns on capital investment, businesses are increasingly aware that they must now take charge of their future by committing to carbon reduction measures, or risk incurring higher business costs in a carbon restrained world. Welcome to a Low-Carbon Future! Find out more about the Professional Sharing Series here:
Last updated on 31 Mar 10
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