Asia & the Pacific

The space exploration agendas of China and India have progressed rapidly in the last decade, spanning from human spaceflight to missions to the Moon and Mars.  Their growing economies have made it possible to fund these programs at a level unconceivable before now. This has therefore stimulated the scientific communities in both states to be more ambitious. In this presentation to the Harvard University South Asia Institute, MTA/ISP Fellow Jaganath Sankaran explores the intracacies of this delicate relationship.

This seminar considered how oil shaped grand strategy in Great Britain and Germany between 1918 and 1941. The history of oil in the twentieth century is a chapter in the story of European decline, for the emergence of oil accelerated the decline of Britain and Germany as great powers capable of independently exerting their economic and military power.

Matthew Bunn presented "Expected – or hoped for – outcomes of the Seoul nuclear security summit" to the 10th Annual RoK-UN Joint Conference on Disarmament and Nonproliferation in Jeju, Republic of Korea.

Matthew Bunn presented "Nuclear Security: What is Required" to a joint Harvard/Peking University workshop in Beijing.

The Chinese government consistently regards energy conservation as one of the most effective means to address its energy-related problems, such as energy security and greenhouse-gas emission reduction. Its energy-saving effect has been substantial since the government has implemented a series of policies in recent years. However, there is still debate about whether or not the current energy conservation policies can support the achievement of China's long-term goal of sustainable development.

The author analyses the implications of economic growth for removing poverty and inequity, in respect of the twin challenges of environmental sustainability and energy security in India.

In this talk, Chikkatur presents India's and China's key energy challenges, challenges specific to the electricity and coal sectors, an overview of coal resources and reserves, and current and future coal technologies. Finally, Chikkatur suggests some key takeaways from his research.

In this talk, Chikkatur provides some background on Indian coal-power, dives into India's current emissions and regulations, its key policy issues, and finally he proposes a way forward for meeting the many challenges associated with India's coal.

Jim Watson, Deputy Director of the Sussex Energy Group at the University of Sussex, U.K., presented work on a project funded by the U.K. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to study "China's Energy Transition."

Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program Director John P. Holdren spoke at a Woods Hole Research Center–sponsored side event at the 13th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali, Indonesia.