Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Developing Countries

The report analyzes energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potentials for six major developing countries through 2030. It projects that baseline energy-sector emissions for these nations could double to approximately 17 metric gigatons of CO2 equivalent by 2030, representing over 40% of global energy-related GHG emissions. The study identifies high-potential mitigation options across four sectors: electricity production, transportation, buildings and appliances, and industry. Common high-potential strategies across all six countries include renewable energy development, vehicle efficiency standards, and the enforcement of building and appliance energy codes. The report emphasizes that while many low-cost options exist, significant barriers remain, including high up-front capital costs, limited technical capacity, and the need for international technology transfer.

• Baseline energy-sector greenhouse gas emissions for China, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea are projected to double from current levels to approximately 17 metric gigatons (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2030.
• By 2030, the six studied countries are expected to account for more than 40% of the world's energy-related GHG emissions and a similar proportion of global mitigation opportunities.
• Three mitigation options are identified as having high potential across all six analyzed countries: the promotion and development of renewable energy, the enforcement of building and appliance energy codes, and the implementation of vehicle efficiency standards.
• In China, high-potential mitigation options include nuclear power, renewables, coal-fired power plant efficiency, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the electricity sector, as well as vehicle efficiency standards and electric vehicles in transportation.
• India's high-potential options include nuclear power, hydropower, and wind and solar renewables in electricity; vehicle efficiency and biofuels in transport; and energy efficiency in the cement and iron/steel industries.
• Brazil's energy-related mitigation potential is highlighted in hydropower, sugar-cane bagasse co-generation, wind power, and the use of ethanol and biodiesel in transportation.
• Mexico's primary high-potential opportunities include switching from fuel oil or coal to natural gas, expanding renewables (wind, solar, and geothermal), and improving vehicle efficiency.
• South Africa's mitigation potential is significant in nuclear power, renewables, and industrial energy efficiency, particularly in the synthetic fuel sector via CCS.
• South Korea's high-potential options include nuclear power, renewables (wind, tidal, solar), and energy efficiency in buildings and industry.
• Common barriers to implementing these mitigation options across the developing countries include high up-front capital costs, limited technical capacity, and a lack of international technology transfer.

APA

Erickson, P., Heaps, C., & Lazarus, M. (2009). Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Developing Countries. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/ghg-mitigation-developing-countries-china-mexico.pdf

Chicago

Erickson, Peter, Charles Heaps, and Michael Lazarus. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Developing Countries. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2009. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/ghg-mitigation-developing-countries-china-mexico.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Erickson |first1=Peter |last2=Heaps |first2=Charles |last3=Lazarus |first3=Michael |title=Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Developing Countries |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=9 June 2009 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/ghg-mitigation-developing-countries-china-mexico.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{erickson2009greenhouse, author = {Erickson, Peter and Heaps, Charles and Lazarus, Michael}, title = {{Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Developing Countries}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2009}, month = jun, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/ghg-mitigation-developing-countries-china-mexico.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }