China Announces Reduction Targets

China has announced plans
to curb carbon pollution and improve energy efficiency as part of the
lead-up to next month's United Nations Climate Change Conference in
Copenhagen.
 
China's State Council pledged that
the world's greatest carbon emitter will cut carbon emissions "per unit
of gross domestic product" by 40 to 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.
 
That, along with President Obama's renewed commitment to a reduction in U.S. carbon pollution, signals significant progress toward an international climate pact.
 
"The U.S. commitment to specific, mid-term emission cut targets
and China's commitment to specific action on energy efficiency can
unlock two of the last doors to a comprehensive agreement," said Yvo de
Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat.
 
The news came as fellow major emitter nations Brazil and Indonesia
announced ambitious reduction targets for 2020 and after the
announcement that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will take part in the
Copenhagen meeting to demonstrate China's commitment to climate action.

Published: December 3, 2009