China Says Rich Nation CO2 Cuts Key To Copenhagen

Developed nation need to commit in Copenhagen in December

Rich nations must agree to large, measurable cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions, if the world is to set a framework to tackle global warming at U.N.-led talks in December, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday.

"The Chinese side believes that in Copenhagen...the key to success is to decide large, quantifiable mid-term emission-cutting targets for the developed nations," the Xinhua article paraphrased Xie saying.

Xie Zhenhua, a deputy chief of the National Development and Reform Commission who steers climate change policy, told the official Xinhua agency that commitment from industrialized countries was crucial to a deal in Copenhagen in December.

He was speaking after the United States and China signed a deal that promises more cooperation on climate change, energy and the environment without setting firm goals.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it highlighted the importance of climate change in U.S.-Chinese relations, and said the sides discussed in detail how to cut emissions ahead of the Copenhagen conference.

China is very vulnerable to a warming world. Its scientists have warned of more droughts in the north and extra storms and flooding in the south, as well as a potential drop in harvests of over one third by the end of the century.

China is the world's biggest annual emitter of greenhouse gasses but on a per capita basis and over the course of history it is far outpaced by western nations that have smaller populations and have had decades of emissions intensive growth.

It has long insisted that a framework to arrange and fund large-scale technology transfers should be a key part of any climate change deal, because it is the cheapest way to ensure the maximum possible cuts in carbon dioxide.

Officials also say it will help developing nations to curb emissions growth without having to sacrifice the development needed to lift their people out of poverty.

SOURCE : REUTERS