The Chinese government said on Thursday (November 26) that by 2020, China’s carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will fall by 40% or 45% compared to 2005. China will achieve the above emission reduction targets through various policies such as taxation and finance.
BBC China Affairs Editor Chen Shirong believes that China's emission reduction targets mark a major commitment.
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao chaired an executive meeting of the State Council to formulate corresponding policies to achieve the above emission reduction targets. The Xinhua News Agency report quoted the State Council executive meeting as saying that China faces tremendous pressure and difficulties in achieving the above goals.
The meeting pointed out that China will formulate plans to deal with climate change based on its own national conditions, adjust its industrial structure, optimize its energy structure, encourage energy conservation, improve energy efficiency, increase investment in relevant scientific and technological research and development, strive to slow down greenhouse gas emissions, and increase forest carbon sinks.
Greenpeace welcomed China's emissions reduction targets. The head of the organization's Chinese arm said that given the urgency of the climate change crisis, China needs to take strong response measures. But he thinks China can still do more.
Wen Jiabao attends climate summit
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen will be held on December 7. Qin Gang, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, announced at a regular press conference on Thursday (November 26) that Wen Jiabao will attend the meeting.
Previously, the White House also announced that President Obama would participate in the Copenhagen Summit.
It is expected that representatives from 192 countries will try to reach a new international convention at this summit to replace the "Kyoto Protocol".
Qin Gang said at the press conference that Wen Jiabao's attendance at the Copenhagen Summit highlighted the Chinese government's emphasis on climate change issues and demonstrated China's willingness to cooperate with the international community. China hopes that this summit can reach a fair and reasonable agreement.
Generally speaking, the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference is attended by environment ministers or equivalent officials from various countries. But leaders of dozens of countries have already stated that they will attend the Copenhagen Summit in person.
China and the United States are the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases. The international community has high hopes for the roles China and the United States will play at the Copenhagen Summit.
– Reference source: BBC website 2009-11-26
