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China Calls On Wealthy Nations To Reduce Emissions By 40 Percent

Posted on: Thursday, 21 May 2009, 16:05 CDT

China will call on developed nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2020, according to a new position paper published ahead of global climate change negotiations scheduled for December in Copenhagen.

However, China did not commit to any legally binding emissions cuts itself.

"Developed countries shall undertake to reduce their GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in aggregate by at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2020," read the paper, which was posted on China's planning agency's Web site.

"Developed countries shall take responsibility for their historical cumulative emissions and current high per capita emissions to change their unsustainable way of life and to substantially reduce their emissions."

China’s call for a 40-percent reduction in emissions by rich countries has previously been reported in state media, but Thursday's paper confirms the demand as official Chinese policy.

The December negotiations seek to reach agreement on a new climate change treaty to replace the Kyoto protocol, which expires in 2012.

The European Union has said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 compared with the 1990 levels.  The EU has also said it would raise the target to 30 percent if other nations set similarly aggressive goals.

Previous Chinese state media reports have said the nation was prepared to commit to enhancements in energy efficiency as its contribution to the negotiations.  However, such targets were not mentioned in the position paper.

The nation, one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, pledged a four-percent annual reduction in the amount of energy consumed per unit of gross domestic product from 2006-2010.  However, those targets have been missed.   

China’s position paper also called on wealthy nations to step up funding for clean energy technologies for developing countries.

As a developing nation, China did not accept reductions in greenhouse gas emissions under Kyoto.  Such emissions are believed responsible for global warming, higher sea levels and other potentially catastrophic climate changes.

"Fully aware of the seriousness and urgency of climate change and with a deep sense of responsibility for the long-term development of mankind, China is firmly committed to sustainable development," the paper said.

"In the face of international financial crisis, China remains determined to take unrelenting efforts to address climate change."

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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