Ambitious emissions cut target poses challenges to China

by Xinhua writer Li Huizi

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Experts said Thursday China's ambitious carbon dioxide emissions cut target, though showing a forward-leaning stance before the Copenhagen summit, would pose great challenges to the world's biggest developing economy.

The State Council, or the Chinese cabinet, announced Thursday that China was going to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40 to 45 percent compared with the level of 2005.

Wu Changhua, the Greater China director of the Britain-headquartered non-governmental organization Climate Group, deemed it as "a significant and meaningful step," which echoes President Hu Jintao's promise at a September UN climate summit in New York that China would cut emissions intensity by "a notable margin."

The emissions cut target was "a hit to the international community," Wu said, adding China presented it "seriously, impressively and significantly."

The target declared that China would make "even greater contribution" to the world in addressing climate change, Chen Ying, a senior research fellow of the Research Center for Sustainable Development under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), told Xinhua.

"It shows China's resolve to act and that it has worked hard tomake the Copenhagen conference successful," she said.

The Foreign Ministry said Premier Wen Jiabao is scheduled to attend the Copenhagen climate summit next month.

However, Qi Jianguo, an economist also with the CASS, told Xinhua that the target would put "great pressure" on China's development.

"In 2020, China's gross domestic product will at least double that of now, so will emissions of greenhouse gases. But the target means the emissions in 2020 have to be roughly equivalent to the present level," he said.

Qi, who studies climate change-economy relations, said "China would face a great challenge."

Wu Changhua said "The cost (in achieving the emissions cut target) will be huge."

She said China had already closed down many small energy-consuming thermal power plants, without complaining to the international community or seeking international financial support.

"Now, it's quite difficult to cut more emissions so long as the most inefficient plants have been stopped and technological upgrading for existing plants would cost a lot," Wu said.

The Chinese government has set the target of cutting energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent from 2006 to 2010.

The State Council said Thursday that the government would devote major efforts to developing renewable and nuclear energies to ensure the consumption of non-fossil-fuel power will account for 15 percent of the country's total primary energy consumption by 2020.

Economists including Qi predicted China's bid for going greener might be accompanied by energy price hike. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced Tuesday to increase electricity price by 2.8 cents, which was believed a prelude of price rises of other energy products.