Shedding Light on Energy's Dirty Secrets - Ep153: Lauri Myllyvirta
Feb 7, 2024
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Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder and lead analyst at CREA - the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, discusses global action on air quality, Russia's fossil fuel exports, China's emissions, and the ethical implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Detailed knowledge of energy and air quality in emerging economies is crucial for understanding global environmental challenges.
Research and analysis have played an important role in raising awareness of the contribution of coal plants to air pollution in China.
Challenges in transitioning to clean energy in South Africa, Indonesia, and Russia highlight the need to address political and economic barriers.
Deep dives
Global greenhouse gas emissions: Reductions in developed countries offset by growth in emerging economies
Over the past decade, there have been significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in developed countries. However, this progress has been offset by soaring growth in China, India, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and other emerging economies. This has led to a global story of reductions in some regions being counteracted by increased emissions in others.
The importance of studying energy and air quality in emerging economies
Detailed knowledge of energy and air quality in emerging economies, such as China, India, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, is crucial for understanding global environmental challenges. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in Helsinki provides evidence, data, and research to support clean energy and clean air efforts in these regions. Their work focuses on analyzing data from public sources to contribute to the understanding and discussion of energy and air quality issues.
The impact of air pollution in China and the role of research
Air pollution in China has become a significant public issue, particularly in relation to coal-fired power plants. Research and analysis, such as that conducted by CREA, have shed light on the contribution of coal plants to air pollution. The discrepancy between government data and independent analysis has played an important role in raising awareness and understanding of the problem. Efforts to transition away from coal and address air pollution in China have faced challenges due to political and economic factors.
Challenges in transitioning to clean energy in South Africa and Indonesia
South Africa and Indonesia have encountered challenges in transitioning to clean energy. In South Africa, issues such as overcapacity in coal-fired power plants, poor maintenance practices, and resistance to closing down coal plants have hindered progress. Similarly, Indonesia has faced obstacles in effecting a transition due to overcapacity, contractual obligations, and cross-subsidies that favor coal. Efforts to incentivize clean energy and address these challenges are ongoing but require addressing political and economic barriers.
Tracking Russia's fossil fuel exports and the need for enforcement
Tracking Russia's fossil fuel exports has been a focus of CREA's work, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. By analyzing and providing data on Russia's fossil fuel revenues and export patterns, CREA has contributed to discussions around imposing sanctions and addressing the financial support Russia receives through fossil fuel exports. Challenges in enforcing restrictions on fossil fuel exports, particularly concerning price gaps and regulatory loopholes, highlight the need for improved enforcement mechanisms and revisions to current measures.
Michael sits down this week with Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder and lead analyst at CREA - the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. After working as a campaigner and then as an analyst at Greenpeace, Lauri helped set up CREA, an NGO that produces research reports on the trends, causes, health impacts, and solutions to air pollution. Importantly, CREA makes extensive reference to local-language evidence sources - helped by Lauri's impressive knowledge of European and Asian languages.
Lauri has degrees in economics from Helsinki University and in environmental science from University of Jyvaskyla.
Links
Read the BBC's recent articles highlighting CREA's research on the UK's Russian oil sanctions: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68018660
And read the original CREA report here: https://energyandcleanair.org/publication/evading-the-sanctions-uk-imports-oil-products-made-from-russian-crude/
Read CREA's report on the surge in coal power in China in 2023: https://energyandcleanair.org/publication/chinas-new-coal-power-spree-continues-as-more-provinces-jump-on-the-bandwagon/
Read CREA's report on the health impacts of delaying coal decommissioning in South Africa: https://energyandcleanair.org/publication/health-impacts-of-delaying-coal-power-plant-decommissioning-in-south-africa/
Read CREA's report on the recent spree of coal plant permitting in India: https://energyandcleanair.org/publication/india-enters-an-unnecessary-coal-plant-permitting-spree-in-2023/
Read CREA's report on the state of Indonesia's transition: https://energyandcleanair.org/publication/emerging-captive-coal-power-in-indonesia/
Explore all of CREA's reports here: https://energyandcleanair.org/publications/
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