Sign in Subscribe
Global temperature changes

China Takes Ambitious Steps to Address Climate Change

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

China's President Hu Jintao is set to announce significant carbon emissions cuts at the UN climate summit in New York, according to UN climate chief Yvo De Boer. China's plans for energy efficiency, renewable power, and pollution control are "so ambitious that it could well become the frontrunner in the fight to address climate change," De Boer said. Victor Gao, an adviser to the Chinese government, echoed that sentiment, stating that China will "take bold and audacious strides" towards a "green development model." However, experts note that a mindset change is necessary to push these policies down to the local level.

Key Takeaways:

  • China's plans for energy efficiency, renewable power, and pollution control are the most ambitious in the world, according to UN climate chief Yvo De Boer.
  • China's President Hu Jintao is expected to announce significant carbon emissions cuts at the UN climate summit in New York.
  • The measures could put pressure on other countries, such as the US, to follow suit in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Victor Gao, an adviser to the Chinese government, believes that a mindset change is necessary to push these policies down to the local level.
  • China will take a "carbon intensity" target goal to demonstrate its commitment to fighting climate change.
  • Beijing's commitment to cutting emissions is in line with its domestic policies and prioritization of economic development.
  • A carbon intensity goal could be a compromise between developing countries and the need for binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions.
  • China's announcement could put pressure on major emitters to kickstart stalled talks on a new framework to tackle global warming.

Statistics:

  • China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.
  • The UN climate summit in New York is expected to bring together about 100 world leaders.
  • China plans to introduce a "carbon intensity" goal to demonstrate its commitment to fighting climate change.
  • A carbon intensity target could be a compromise between developing countries and the need for binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions.
  • 120 countries are expected to convene in Copenhagen for climate talks.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press news agency
  • Al Jazeera
  • China National Association of International Studies
  • Greenpeace in China
  • Peking University
  • The UN climate summit in New York

Read more