China in Carbon Intensity Levels Pledge

China has announced details of how it intends to lower its national greenhouse gas emissions output, a fortnight in advance of crucial global climate change talks.  On November 26th 2009, it proposed a 2020 target of decreasing so-termed “carbon intensity” levels by as much as 45 per cent under 2005 levels.  Its announcement is unprecedented in the sense that it represents the first concrete greenhouse gas reduction plan to have emerged from a country that, four months ago, the European Commission said was constructing as many power plants per year as the UK has overall.

Carbon Intensity

Carbon intensity is a measurement that assesses CO2 emissions in relation to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  China’s new emissions reduction announcement - according to state council comments published by news agency Xinhua – stands as “...a voluntary action taken by the Chinese government based on its own national conditions”, and “...a major contribution to the global effort in tackling climate change.”

“This is definitely a very positive step China is taking, but we think China can do more than this”, climate change manager for Greenpeace China, Yang Ailun, advised news agency AFP. 

China: CO2 Emissions

A flourishing economy and linked expectations of continued growth will actually drive China’s CO2 emission levels higher over coming years.  However – in line with its new pledge – the country will slow down emissions growth by implementing new renewable energy-based technologies.  In this way, emissions will obviously grow more slowly than if no intervention had occurred at all.

Next month’s Copenhagen climate change talks will take place between December 7th and 18th, and hopefully result in the creation of a new agreement to take over from the 12-year-old Kyoto Protocol. 

China’s new emissions announcement coincided with the news that Wen Jiabao – the Prime Minister of China – intends to travel to Copenhagen to participate in the discussions there.  

See also:

China Vital in Climate Change Deal

EU Proposes Funding Carbon Capture Technologies for China