Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
THE SECURITY DIMENSION
sociated with today's photovoltaic technology and
consequently increased its competitiveness (Cook
and Boes, 2005, p. 136, 139). As indicated in the
2007 Global Status Report on Renewable and its
2009 updated version, the investment in renew-
able energy capacity, manufacturing plants, and
research and development continues to increase
dramatically, reaching a fourfold annual invest-
ment as compared to 2004 in 2008 (Renewable
Global Status Report 2007, 2008, p. 6). If these
trends continue, then it is rather likely that the
manufacturing cost will decline further, and
thereby making these technologies more attractive,
as well as increasing the dynamic of replacing
traditional and more environmentally damaging
energy production. The accelerating replacement
of pollution sources of energy generation with
sustainable sources would also lessen the nega-
tive impact consumption has on the environment.
Although the above-mentioned statements and
targets providing indications that the Chinese
leadership is increasingly serious in addressing
the implications of environmental degeneration,
we still should be cautions, as the example of the
10 th FYP on Environmental Degeneration clearly
demonstrates that various critical targets, as men-
tioned before, were not achieved. Nevertheless,
despite this rather weak record, it should not lead
to a premature conclusion that the measurements
and targets set in the 11 th FYP are not achievable
either. As many specific strategies in the 11 th FYP
on Environment Protection are set to reach their
target in 2010, hence 2010 will be a critical year
for assessing the extent and success or failure in
China's environmental strategy as outlined in
the 11 th FYP.
The security nexus represents another crucial
dimension of environmental degeneration and
climate change. This issue can be of consider-
able complexity by connecting domestic and
international politics in addition to the previously
mentioned underlining scientific issue. Energy se-
curity and issues of cross border pollution provide
examples of the challenges faced.
When speaking of environmental security 13 it is
crucial to recognize its close link with the social,
political and economic related implications of
environmental degeneration for humankind, re-
minding us that the 'human security' dimension
provides the ultimate concern of environmental
degeneration. It is equally crucial to remember that
environmental issues are neither bound nor con-
strained by national borders, nor are the regulation
costs readily understood at the national level, as
they can vary between the local, regional, national
or international level for a single environmental
issue. Cross-border pollution issues, where the
source of the pollution originates in one country
but lead to devastating environmental implications
in another country, as well as climate change repre-
senting critical issues of international environmen-
tal concerns. The international dimension of the
environmental issue also highlights the potential
fundamental implications specific environmental
issue can carry for interstate relationships. Yet, the
potential impact specific environmental issue can
have varies to a considerable extent and can lead
to both co-operation and conflict. On the one hand,
co-operation in environmental issues may lead to
co-operation in other areas as well. However, the
opposite can occur, as conflict over environmental
issues may undermine the collaboration on other
issues. Yet, while the previously mentioned char-
acteristics of the environmental issue has brought
state power and state sovereignty into question,
responding to cross-border pollution issues and
global environmental challenges still requires
state authority for addressing such challenges.
Consequently, the administrative, financial, legal
and regulatory power of the state is still of cru-
cial importance when addressing environmental
issues. However, the urgency and concreteness
of a specific environmental problem has funda-
mental consequences for the securitisatization
process 14 and the provision of critical political and
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