Arunabha Ghosh writes in Indian business newspaper, The Financial Express, that developing countries face a triple challenge of increasing income growth, building energy infrastructure, and confronting climate change.
In her speech to Parliament last week, President Patil declared that one of the top priorities for her government would be ‘energy security and environment protection’. The intention is commendable. India and other developing countries face a triple challenge of increasing income growth, building energy infrastructure and confronting climate change. Reconciling these challenges would depend on financing, regulatory and institutional reforms, and international cooperation.
The energy needs of developing countries cannot be underestimated. About 1.6 billion people live without electricity and 2.5 billion lack access to modern energy sources. Even in fast-growing China and India, more than half the population relies on traditional biomass for cooking.
Read the full op-ed at The Financial Express.
