China unable to commit on climate
China says its main focus is building its economy
China is not able "for the time being" to commit to binding agreements to cut carbon emissions, a government official has told British parliamentarians.
The deputy director-general of China＇s Office of Global Environmental Affairs, Lu Xuedu, spoke to the joint committee on the UK＇s draft climate change bill.
He said: "We hope that we will have the capability very soon but that depends on the development process."
He added that China believes it will "suffer seriously" from climate change.
"But anyhow we will continue to make every effort to address climate change," Dr Lu said.
We believe the poor will suffer much more than rich because the poor have less capability
Lu Xuedu
Office of Global Environmental Affairs
China＇s part in cutting emissions is crucial, as many analysts believe it could overtake the US this year as the world＇s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
But China has repeatedly said that its first priority must be its economy, and that rich countries must take more responsibility for tackling climate change.
Dr Lu said that despite the existence of huge cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, much of China remained a poor, developing country.
"We do believe we will suffer very seriously from climate change. We believe the poor will suffer much more than rich because the poor have less capability, poor people are more vulnerable."
While Dr Lu praised the UK＇s draft bill as "very, very good", he said it was unfair to compare the two countries.
"It＇s not very fair to make such a comparison between countries because we are not taking into account population. I don＇t think it＇s meaningful."
The draft bill outlines government plans to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide - one of the "greenhouse gases" thought to contribute to global warming.
The government wants a cut of 60% by 2050 - and of between 26% and 32% by 2020 - compared with the level measured in 1990.
＇Play thing＇
Dr Lu said China was serious about tackling climate change, and criticised developed countries for treating the issue "like the play thing of a child".
"Things are a little different with the Chinese government from other kinds of government," he told the committee.
"When we say we are going to do something, we will do that...we will make every effort to meet our commitments.
"In many other countries the government makes these commitments then tomorrow the government will change and say ＇this is no longer our responsibility＇. This happens in many countries, even many developed countries.
"But for us, no, we are very serious."
|
|
