BLOG: Every climate initiative must be road tested in the developing world – and adequate funding is essential

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Click here to see the latest blog post on Asian Chemical Connections by John Richardson.

Until or unless every climate change and plastic waste initiative is road-tested in the developing world, we will not just go nowhere. The data on petrochemicals, transportation fuels and electricity demand tell us we will go backwards.

We must also, of course, ensure that the developing world has enough money to decarbonise and reduce plastic waste in the open environment.

What was already a huge bill has been made even bigger by the pandemic. The bill can only be met through a global carbon tax.

We are however making progress through, for instance, the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

But we must start with the recognition that the developing world has to be at the front and centre of every discussion and initiative.

And again – as today’s blog post reminds us – we must be data-led. All the data tell us that it is the developing world is where the challenges are the greatest.

Editor’s note: This blog post is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.