Forstalling Efficiency

Is this what the New Orleans' grinch had in mind when he looted the contract?

At the international climate change conference in Bali, Indonesia, this month, delegates from New Delhi resisted efforts by industrialized nations to set mandatory targets for reductions in carbon emissions, arguing that India's per-capita emissions are far lower than those of wealthier, developed countries. Countries with emerging economies have also argued that climate change goals should not be imposed at the cost of growth.

India's severe power shortages are already forcing some business owners to look for energy-efficient solutions -- both to cut costs and to remain globally competitive. In the past two years, the government has introduced energy-efficiency labels for some consumer goods and trained architects how to meet new, environmentally friendly building codes. The government has also mandated energy audits for large factories this year and is proposing tougher fuel economy standards.

Audits would have helped New Orleans from the Grinch.