China will speed up energy-saving measures, COP 15

Release Date: 2009-03-10

China pledges to step up efforts to tackle climate change. The government will implement energy-saving measures for power generators, boilers, automobiles, air-conditioners and lighting products.

It will also accelerate the development of clean energy such as nuclear, wind and solar power, the Chinese government announced Thursday in a report presented to the annual session of the National People's Congress, according to People’s Daily Online.

Last year China's energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 4.59 percent compared to the year before. China has set an ambitious goal of cutting energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent and major pollutants emissions by 10 percent between 2006 and 2010.

The achievements in 2008 were partly caused by the global financial crisis, Lin Boqiang, director of the Center for Energy Economic Research of China at Xiamen University says. He finds it "really challenging" for China to realize the 20-percent target.

According to Reuters, some experts ”have voiced fears that the global downturn will test the resolve of China and other leading emitters to fight global warming at a time when efforts to revive their economies dominate the policy agenda”.

In October, Gao Guangsheng head of the climate change office at the National Development and Reform Commission - China's top economic planning body - called for rich nations to provide green technology to developing countries by setting aside 1percent of their gross domestic product.

Type:	NORMAL
Company:	COP 15
Country:	Denmark
Url:	http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=838