US urged to set lead example in global climate change battle
Source: Xinhua |
March 11, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE United States, as the world's largest developed nation, should exert more efforts to tackle climate change, Xie Zhenhua, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said in Beijing yesterday.
Xie, one of China's leading negotiators for climate change talks, made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.
The Obama administration had been more active than previous administrations on climate change, but needed to do more on taking the lead in cutting emissions and providing financial support and technology transfers, he said.
"We know there are disputes and difficulties within the US on legislation, but we hope these, along with US unwillingness to take more responsibilities, are not shifted to other countries," Xie said. "We would like to enhance cooperation with the US to deal with climate change."
Zhang Lijun, vice minister of environmental protection, told the press conference that the Chinese government was confident of achieving the target to cut emissions of major pollutants by 10 percent from 2006 to 2010.
The ministry said emissions of sulfur dioxide reached 22.14 million tons in 2009, down 4.6 percent from a yearago, and that for chemical oxygendemand (COD) fell 3.27 percent to 12.78 million tons.
Xie said COD emissions dropped 9.66 percent between 2006 and 2009. And that for sulfur dioxide declined 13.14 percent, meeting the target one year ahead of schedule.
Zhang said the government may expand the category of "major pollutants" to include agricultural pollutants in drawing plans for the period from 2011 to 2015.
The current scope of major pollutants includes sulfur dioxide and COD, a gauge of water pollution.
He said environmental protection would be used as a tool to facilitate economic restructuring and transform the development pattern. Market forces and long-term mechanism should play a greater role, he added.
The country's COD and emissions of sulfur dioxide fell for four consecutive years after the target was set at the beginning of 2006, Environmental Protection Minister Zhou Shengxian said in January.
Xie, one of China's leading negotiators for climate change talks, made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.
The Obama administration had been more active than previous administrations on climate change, but needed to do more on taking the lead in cutting emissions and providing financial support and technology transfers, he said.
"We know there are disputes and difficulties within the US on legislation, but we hope these, along with US unwillingness to take more responsibilities, are not shifted to other countries," Xie said. "We would like to enhance cooperation with the US to deal with climate change."
Zhang Lijun, vice minister of environmental protection, told the press conference that the Chinese government was confident of achieving the target to cut emissions of major pollutants by 10 percent from 2006 to 2010.
The ministry said emissions of sulfur dioxide reached 22.14 million tons in 2009, down 4.6 percent from a yearago, and that for chemical oxygendemand (COD) fell 3.27 percent to 12.78 million tons.
Xie said COD emissions dropped 9.66 percent between 2006 and 2009. And that for sulfur dioxide declined 13.14 percent, meeting the target one year ahead of schedule.
Zhang said the government may expand the category of "major pollutants" to include agricultural pollutants in drawing plans for the period from 2011 to 2015.
The current scope of major pollutants includes sulfur dioxide and COD, a gauge of water pollution.
He said environmental protection would be used as a tool to facilitate economic restructuring and transform the development pattern. Market forces and long-term mechanism should play a greater role, he added.
The country's COD and emissions of sulfur dioxide fell for four consecutive years after the target was set at the beginning of 2006, Environmental Protection Minister Zhou Shengxian said in January.
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