China Commits to Reduce Carbon Emissions "As Early As Possible"
China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, pledged to take definite steps to cut its emission by 2020 at a UN summit in New York, Tuesday.
"As a responsible major developing country China will make an even greater effort to address climate change. We will also try to bring about the peaking of total carbon dioxide emissions as early as possible," said China's Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, Mashable reports.
The United States, which is also one of the biggest carbon emitters, echoed the same sentiments. Meanwhile, Canada's Environment Minister said that his government was committed to strike a new global climate deal in Paris next year.
At the UN Climate Summit U.S. President Barack Obama and China's Zhang vowed to tackle the issue.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had organized the one-day event in which more than 120 heads of government participated. According to BBC, the summit was the largest high-level climate meeting since 2009.The purpose of the event was to build momentum on negotiations for a new climate agreement, The Globe and Mail reports.
China has witnessed a 10 percent annual increase in carbon dioxide emissions, however, according to a report from the European Commission, it slowed down in 2013.
China needs to reduce its carbon intensity by up to 45 percent by 2020. However, Zhang said that China will reveal its goals for reducing emissions post-2020 in 2015's first quarter, like the United States.
Zhang further said that the post-2020 plan will include goals "to markedly reduce carbon intensity, increase the share of non-fossil fuels" and to boost forest conservation.
The Climate Action Network and Global Coalition for Climate Action praised Zhang's speech, saying: "China should be commended for signaling its intention to peak emissions as soon as possible. Such moves along with more ambitious actions by the US - at which President Obama hinted - could accelerate negotiations towards the global climate agreement due next year."
