China: One of the Key Players in Climate Change

In December 2015, 167 countries around the globe flew to 'UN climate talks in Paris.' They will gather back in New York to sign 'the climate accord.'

Diplomats' actions in the years ahead will prove their pledges. The largest polluters have pledged to limit the emissions, however how well the limit the emissions of dangerous greenhouse gas will be known only in the future. The key players in climate changes are China, USA, European Union and India. A report of China, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

China

The world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has pledged to have its emissions of carbon dioxide reach a plateau or decline "around 2030," and many experts believe it is on track to meet that target. And by that year, 20 percent of energy in China would come from non fossil fuel sources, the government said.

Recently, China also said to "strictly controlling public investment flowing into projects with high pollution and carbon emissions both domestically and internationally."

State-owned enterprises are the biggest consumers of coal. These enterprises are backed by state loans and are building dozens of coal-fires power plants abroad. Thus, stopping these enterprises would be significant. Climate experts realise this as a significant promise. But those enterprises are deeply rooted in the Communist Party system, and officials trying to control them often meet obstacles.

In December, 2015 China's situation at the talks was complicated by political realities in Beijing. The country's environment ministry pushes for domestic action on pollution, and the foreign ministry wants China to be seen as a constructive player on the international stage. These are the factual situations the country faces.

However, China has pledged to set up a national market for greenhouse gas quotas by 2017, commonly called a "cap and trade" system, experts have expressed uncertainty about it. Will China be able to meet that deadline, or whether the market would be effective is uncertain.

Sources: NY Times and The Guardian