经济衰退令温室气体排放显著下降

国际能源机构(IEA)的一项研究发现，本轮经济衰退导致温室气体排放量创下前所未有的降幅，为世界摆脱高碳增长模式创造了“独特机遇”。 (}{G`N>.{  
　　The recession has resulted in an unparalleled fall in greenhouse gas emissions, providing a “unique opportunity” to move the world away from high- carbon growth, an International Energy Agency study has found. XG}
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　　在首个关于经济衰退对气候变化影响的大型研究中，国际能源机构发现，化石燃料燃烧产生的二氧化碳(CO2)排放量今年出现“显著下降”——降幅大于过去40年中的任何一年。此次排放量下降将超过1981年石油危机过后经济衰退期间的降幅。 CnpV:>V=  
　　In the first big study of the impact of the recession on climate change, the IEA found that CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels had undergone “a significant decline” this year – further than in any year in the last 40. The fall will exceed the drop in the 1981 recession that followed the oil crisis.  'C`U"I  
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　　工业产出下降是二氧化碳排放量骤降的主要原因，但其它因素也发挥了作用，例如由于需求削减和资金短缺，许多燃煤电站建设计划遭到搁置。 / : L?~  
　　Falling industrial output is largely responsible for the plunge in CO2, but other factors have played a role, including the shelving of many plans for new coal-fired power stations owing to falling demand and lack of financing. TT2d81I3m  
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　　政府的减排政策也首度发挥了重大作用。国际能源机构估计，减少的排放量中约有四分之一是监管的结果，这一比例是“空前”的。效果特别显著的举措有三：欧洲到2020年前减排20%的目标；美国汽车废气排放标准；以及中国的能效政策。 S]bmS6#  
　　For the first time, government policies to cut emissions have also had a significant impact. The IEA estimates that about a quarter of the reduction is the result of regulation, an “unprecedented” proportion. Three initiatives had a particular effect: Europe's target to cut emissions by 20 per cent by 2020; US car emission standards; and China's energy efficiency policies. 48:>NW  
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　　国际能源机构首席经济学家法提赫•比罗尔(Fatih Birol)表示，排放量的降幅“令人意外”，而且会使实现减排目标的“难度大大降低”——科学家们认为若要避免后果严重的全球变暖，就必须实现这些目标。“由于能源需求发生变化，以及许多能源投资项目延期，我们面临新的形势，”他表示。“但只有在我们能够充分利用这次特殊机遇期的前提下，一切才有意义。这意味着我们必须在哥本哈根达成协议。” q"%_tS  
　　Fatih Birol, chief IEA economist, said the fall was “surprising” and would make it “much less difficult” to achieve the emissions reductions scientists say are needed to avoid dangerous global warming. “We have a new situation, with the changes in energy demand and the postponement of many energy investments,” he said. “But this only has meaning if we can make use of this unique window of opportunity. [That means] a deal in Copenhagen.”