by Xinhua Writers Zhang Zhengfu and Liu Min
BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Seen by some as the last chance to save the planet, the United Nations climate talks in Copenhagen entered the final stage when 110 world leaders are arriving in the Danish capital to seek an agreement on a post-Kyoto regime.
China maintains any new treaties should be based on the Kyoto principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" that commit industrialized nations to mandatory cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and limit the obligations of developing countries.
China announced ambitious plans last month to cut greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020 from the2005 level.
"We think highly of China's emissions cutting target and its active attitude in international negotiations," said Li Lin, director of Conservation Strategies at the World Wildlife Fund (China).
"However, China will pay a high price for reaching the target," said Li.
As a developing country with a per capita GDP of 2,770 U.S. dollars, less than a third of the world's average, China's road of low-carbon development would incur heavy costs in the short run.
Reaching the 45 percent target by 2020 would cost China 30 billion U.S. dollars per year over the next 10 years, said Zou Ji, a professor with the Renmin University of China.
In the first four years of China's 11th Five-Year Plan Period (2006-2010), the closure of high energy-consuming and high carbon-emitting plants led to the loss of 400,000 jobs, according to research by Zou's team.
The marginal cost of cutting emissions was set to rise as the economy recovered and more factories started production, and this would affect China's ability to raise incomes, reduce poverty and create jobs, said Zou.
China faced special difficulties in controlling greenhouse gas emissions with its large population and relatively low economic development level, said Xie Zhenhua, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) late November after the government announced the target.
About 150 million Chinese live in poverty, posing a daunting challenge in improving living standards.
Heavy industries with high carbon emissions accounted for 71 percent of China's industrial output in 2008, and coal accounted for 70 percent of energy consumption, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
However, the government would adhere to its emissions cut target despite the difficulties, said Xie.
To reach the target, China must move away from the traditional development mode that featured high pollution and high emissions, said Zhou Dadi, a researcher of the NDRC.
In the past three years, the government had been eliminating outdated steel, cement and coke producers. By July, China had shutdown small thermal power units capable of generating 54 million kilowatts, equal to 124 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions avoided, according to the NDRC.
By July, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP were down 13 percent from the 2005 level. When the goal of 20 percent is realized next year, 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide could have been avoided during the 11th Five-Year Plan Period.
The government is also stepping up development of clean energies and renewable technologies.
By the end of 2008, China's installed capacity of hydro-electricity reached 172 million kilowatts, the highest in the world. The installed capacity of wind power doubled for three consecutive years. In 2008, China used a total of renewable energy equal to 250 million tons of standard coal, avoiding 600 million tons of carbon emissions, according to statistics of the National Energy Administration.
Jeff Huang, vice president of the Chicago Climate Exchange, says, "China is not only making progress in quantity of new energy used, but also in renewable technologies."
Counting on government support, more investment and great market potential, China is poised to transform from an importer of new energy technologies to an exporter, says Huang.
In the meantime, China has stepped up efforts to cooperate with other developing nations to combat climate change.
In the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in November, China announced aid for African countries to build more than 100 solar power, marsh gas and hydro-electricity projects.
Nick Nuttall, spokesman for the Nairobi-based United Nations Environment Programme, said earlier this month that the assistance China provided was conducive to Africa's sustainable development and diversifying the continent's economic growth patterns.
Binding climate deal expected in 2010 as Copenhagen conference approaches end
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on negotiators at the climate talks in Copenhagen to complete a legally binding climate treaty "as early as possible in 2010."
"Our goal is to lay the foundation for a legally binding climate treaty as early as possible in 2010," Ban told the opening session of the high level segment of the UN climate change conference. Full story
China repeats stance against proposed carbon tariffs
BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday repeated its stance against proposed carbon tariffs, which would contain the development of global trade, according to Ministry of Commerce spokesman Yao Jian.
China firmly opposed the carbon tariffs proposed by some individuals and international organizations as they ignored the fact that developing and developed countries were in different stages of development and should shoulder different responsibilities and obligations, Yao said. Full story
Ban says China takes important measures to reduce emission
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said on Tuesday that China, a developing country, has taken important measures in reducing its emission of greenhouse gas.
"China has also taken quite important measures by cutting forty to forty-five percent of energy intensity by 2020," Ban said at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen.Full story
China undertaking low-carbon development: official
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is reconciling its traditional development and consumption patterns with low-carbon development so as to achieve ultimate harmony between humans and nature, a senior Chinese official said Tuesday.
In his speech to be delivered at a United Nations (UN) climate change seminar, Xie Zhenhua promised that China would strive to achieve this harmony by closely integrating the Chinese stage of development with its unique national situation. Full story
China says rich countries responsible for slow Copenhagen talks progress
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China said Tuesday that the rich countries should be responsible for the sluggish progress of the Copenhagen climate talks as they "move backward" on such issues like technological and financial support for the developing countries.
"The Copenhagen conference has now entered a crucial stage and made some progress, but some problems and differences still exist," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a regular news briefing. Full story
China has great expectations for climate talks, urges more efforts
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has great expectations for the ongoing climate talks in Copenhagen, and has called on all parties concerned to exert more efforts to ensure the success of the conference.
Xie Zhenhua, head of the Chinese delegation to the UN-led climate conference, said Monday that progress has been made at the climate talks but negotiators were still engaged in heated debates over some key issues. Full story
Chinese negotiator: Climate talks entering "crucial stage"
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The UN climate talks have entered the "crucial stage" after two draft texts were proposed by the chairs of the two major working groups of the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, China's chief negotiator in climate talks said Saturday.
Su Wei was speaking a day after the working groups on long term cooperative action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and on the Kyoto Protocol put forward their draft decision papers. Full story
"Kyoto Protocol will be effective after 2012," senior Chinese diplomat says
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- China said here Friday that it is a mistake to say that the Kyoto Protocol will expire in about two years, and it will be effective after 2012.
The statement came as Liu Zhenmin, the deputy Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, was speaking to a group of UN-based Chinese and foreign reporters at the Chinese Mission. Full story
China hopes to see positive results from Copenhagen conference
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese diplomat said on Friday that the current Copenhagen Conference "is an important meeting on climate change," and "the Chinese government hopes to see positive results from the conference."
Liu Zhenmin, the Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a group of UN-based Chinese and foreign reporters at the Chinese Mission that "the ongoing Copenhagen Conference is an important meeting on climate change. The international community is full of expectations." Full story
China calls on rich nations to deliver on climate pledges
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday urged the rich nations negotiating in the UN-led climate talks in Copenhagen to help seal a deal by delivering on their promises to cut carbon emissions and provide financial support to help developing nations adapt to global warming.
The call comes as ministers arrive for the higher segment of the talks that are tasked with achieving goals to avoid irreversible change in climate that scientists warn could be disastrous to the Earth. China's Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said he hoped for a "balanced outcome" of the UN climate change conference. Fulll story
Chinese Premier's attendance adds momentum to Copenhagen talks: FM
BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at the Copenhagen conference will inject a new momentum into international climate change talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Guangya said Thursday.
"Wen's trip to Copenhagen will inject a new momentum into the climate change talks and exert positive and important impacts for future international cooperation," Wang told a press conference on Thursday. Full story
Special report: Premier Wen Attends Copenhagen Climate Summit
