80
M. Conte Grand
In fact, Argentina is a country that ranks approximately at the 60th place among
almost 150 nations present in the database. In fact, between 1990 and 2012, its GDP
increased at an annual average rate of 4%, while emissions increased 2% annually on
average (the rates of growth for the overall period are 129% and 43%, respectively).
This means that Argentina is decoupling emissions in a weak (and not strong) way.
Hence, if the unconditional goal is met, GHG emissions will have increased by
18% between 2005 and 2030 (i.e., 483–409/409, all in GtCO 2 -e). Only if both types
of targets are adopted (unconditional and conditional), would the Climate Action
Tracker consider the goal simply insufficient since emissions would fall between
2005 and 2030 by 10% (i.e., 369–409/409).
Argentina has still a long way to go to be able to strongly decouple emissions
from GDP. However, it has undertaken several steps that should lead it to a stronger
decoupling. In particular, it has established specific plans to reduce emissions in all
sectors,
7 Energy policies include: changes in energy efficiency; increase in renewable
energy generation; increases in biofuels mixing; changes in large-scale generation as
substitution of fossil fuels by natural gas. Transportation emissions’ reductions plan
encompass: changes in urban mobility through, for example, promotion of public
transportation; efficiency improvements in freight transportation; or commercial
aviation modernization. Mitigation measures in the agricultural and forestry sectors
intend to increase forested areas, limit oilseeds plantation and use biomass for energy
generation, among others. Industrial mitigation measures refer to recovery of waste
flows, an increase in motors efficiency and the use of more efficient energy sources.
In general, policies are weighted in terms of how many emissions they decrease, not
in terms of the extent to which they allow decoupling. This happens because there is
generally no coordinate work between economic and environment regulatory bodies,
and also lack of knowledge of the usefulness of decoupling indicators follow-up.
Conclusions
As shown in this chapter, decoupling greenhouse gases from economic evolution is
not favorable per se. It can perfectly happen that emissions and GDP trends separate
from each other and emissions increase and/or GDP decreases. Neither augmentations in emissions nor GDP contraction can be an objective to pursue. Similarly,
declines of emissions’ intensity are not goals by themselves because they can be
compatible with increasing emissions and/or GDP contraction.
Hence, “decoupling” as an aim has to be qualified. Orderings can be constructed
trying to balance green and growth. Two rankings were constructed here using the
decoupling indicator constructed by Tapio (2005). The order depends on, if when
there is conflict between economy and nature, priority is given to one or the other.
The results show that around 30% of countries in the world are strongly decoupling their greenhouse gases from their economic activity considering the 1990–2012
7 Refer to https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ambiente/sustentabilidad/planes-sectoriales.
M. Conte Grand
In fact, Argentina is a country that ranks approximately at the 60th place among
almost 150 nations present in the database. In fact, between 1990 and 2012, its GDP
increased at an annual average rate of 4%, while emissions increased 2% annually on
average (the rates of growth for the overall period are 129% and 43%, respectively).
This means that Argentina is decoupling emissions in a weak (and not strong) way.
Hence, if the unconditional goal is met, GHG emissions will have increased by
18% between 2005 and 2030 (i.e., 483–409/409, all in GtCO 2 -e). Only if both types
of targets are adopted (unconditional and conditional), would the Climate Action
Tracker consider the goal simply insufficient since emissions would fall between
2005 and 2030 by 10% (i.e., 369–409/409).
Argentina has still a long way to go to be able to strongly decouple emissions
from GDP. However, it has undertaken several steps that should lead it to a stronger
decoupling. In particular, it has established specific plans to reduce emissions in all
sectors,
7 Energy policies include: changes in energy efficiency; increase in renewable
energy generation; increases in biofuels mixing; changes in large-scale generation as
substitution of fossil fuels by natural gas. Transportation emissions’ reductions plan
encompass: changes in urban mobility through, for example, promotion of public
transportation; efficiency improvements in freight transportation; or commercial
aviation modernization. Mitigation measures in the agricultural and forestry sectors
intend to increase forested areas, limit oilseeds plantation and use biomass for energy
generation, among others. Industrial mitigation measures refer to recovery of waste
flows, an increase in motors efficiency and the use of more efficient energy sources.
In general, policies are weighted in terms of how many emissions they decrease, not
in terms of the extent to which they allow decoupling. This happens because there is
generally no coordinate work between economic and environment regulatory bodies,
and also lack of knowledge of the usefulness of decoupling indicators follow-up.
Conclusions
As shown in this chapter, decoupling greenhouse gases from economic evolution is
not favorable per se. It can perfectly happen that emissions and GDP trends separate
from each other and emissions increase and/or GDP decreases. Neither augmentations in emissions nor GDP contraction can be an objective to pursue. Similarly,
declines of emissions’ intensity are not goals by themselves because they can be
compatible with increasing emissions and/or GDP contraction.
Hence, “decoupling” as an aim has to be qualified. Orderings can be constructed
trying to balance green and growth. Two rankings were constructed here using the
decoupling indicator constructed by Tapio (2005). The order depends on, if when
there is conflict between economy and nature, priority is given to one or the other.
The results show that around 30% of countries in the world are strongly decoupling their greenhouse gases from their economic activity considering the 1990–2012
7 Refer to https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ambiente/sustentabilidad/planes-sectoriales.