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UTILITY WEEK | 4TH - 10TH DECEMBER 2015 | 13 Policy & Regulation C ollaboration and innova- tion will be key if the COP21 talks are to suc- ceed. A global deal is needed not only to get tackling climate change back on track, but also to serve as a clarion call for infrastructure managers and related businesses to pull their weight in driving innovation to reduce energy consumption. For example, pumping and treating water and wastewa- ter uses a lot of energy. And in Europe, more stringent environmental regulation has led to the installation of more treatment processes, which use more energy. Although many in the water and environmental sectors are making advances, we can and should do more. Sustainable solutions are not only effective and reduce costs but also are more energy efficient and generate less carbon. I see two stumbling blocks that will make it hard to reach an agreement. First, because we are addicted to consuming more "stuff " made by burning coal (not only the energy used directly in manufacture but also all the other resources used in production, including clean water). Reducing emis- sions on the scale we need will require nothing less than the transformation of energy and related infrastructure that underpins our economy. Second, we have tended to focus on reducing the carbon emissions from production rather than our consump- tion. This does not take into account the fact that as countries like the UK de- industrialise, their "carbon of production" reduces while the "carbon of consumption" continues to rise. In the UK, we are buying more and more energy-intensive products but increasingly their manufacture occurs overseas. Hence, the view of com- mentators such as Dieter Helm and David MacKay is that what we really need is an economy- wide carbon tax. This is likely to increase the cost of things made with dirty energy, such that we start switching to buying lower carbon products or we buy less. This would ripple across the economy. For example in the water sector, because pumping water needs lots of energy, the cost of water production would likely rise. To address this, we either pump water using cleaner energy or we find ways to pump less. So, what if we fail to get agreement in Paris? Well, we won't see progress at the same rate. However, I do think that ever-increasing global competitiveness, continued pressure to reduce pollution and improve public health, the social and economic pressure to stop burying waste, plus the need to adapt to climate change will continue to drive us towards the "circular economy" that will deliver carbon reduction almost as a by-product. The leaders will be those countries that work out how to innovate and collabo- rate in very practical ways. Adrian Johnson, technical director and sustainability leader at MWH Global Read the article in full at utilityweek.co.uk Opinion Adrian Johnson "Measuring carbon needs to be switched from production to consumption." COP 21 Key players USA As the second-highest emitter of greenhouse gases, the US will play a key role in the climate change talks and whether a binding agreement can be reached. While President Obama is a champion of cutting carbon, he narrowly lost a crucial vote in the senate in November when key pillars of his tough new climate regulations were blocked. This will weaken his negotiating hand in Paris. China China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide and green- house gases, driven by the rapid expansion of its economy in recent years, largely fuelled by coal-fired power stations. President Xi Jinping heads into the Paris talks on the back of a pledge that China will cut its CO2 emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 60-65 per cent from 2005 levels, increase its share of non-fossil fuel generation to about 20 per cent by 2030, which is when it also aims to peak its CO2 emissions. Despite the pledges, there is scepticism as to whether they will be honoured. India India is the third-highest emitter of greenhouse gases, but the country's environment minister, Prakash Javadekar, has said it will not bow into pressure from the developed nations during the Paris talks. He told Indian newswire IANS the country "would not be bullied into accepting the position of developed countries". India is dependent on coal for most of its electricity needs and has said it would reject a deal to phase out fossil fuels by 2100. Germany The Germans will play a key role in the talks as the major European economy. Karsten Sach, Germany's head negotia- tor, has already highlighted the government is looking for legally binding climate targets for all countries. Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledges the culpability of developed nations when it comes to climate change and says they should develop efficient low carbon technologies to help poorer countries reduce their emissions. UK The UK government has continually called for "bold action" on climate change, however the government has slashed renewbles subsidies. The UK is also is predicted to fall short of its EU obligation to get 15 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020. France French president Francois Hollande insists the summit will produce a legally binding climate change deal. He has ruled out the option of a treaty, similar to that agreed at COP15 in Copenhagen, and is keen to secure a Kyoto-style agreement. Hollande is also a proponent of the more developed countries driving low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies. Russia Historically, Russian president Vladimir Putin has sat firmly in the climate change sceptic camp, even saying in 2003 that climate change means Russians "spend less on fur coats". Oil and gas is also a significant part of the country's economy, with exports to Europe, with gas generating about half of its electricity. However, this stance may be soening, and Russia has pledged to cut emissions by a quarter, to 30 per cent of 1990 levels by 2030. Reasons to be cheerful n For the first time, in 2014 there was global economic growth, of 3%, without any associated growth in emissions from energy use. n Over the same period the UK saw 2.8% growth and an 8.4% reduction in emissions. n UN Negotiators have so far agreed a draft text that is 86 pages long There are references to limiting any temperature increase to 1.5C, instead of 2C