China's cut in coal consumption reduces global carbon emissions significantly

Updated: 2016-07-09 20:26

By ZHENG JINRAN(chinadaily.com.cn)

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China has cut coal consumption by 1.57 billion tons since 2010 to 2015, reducing carbon emissions by 3.6 billion tons, and committed to utilize green energy to combat climate change.

In 2015, China has seen its GDP reaching 67.7 trillion yuan, 148 percent higher than that in 2005, while the carbon dioxide emission per unit of GDP has been lowered by 38 percent compared with 2005, said Xie Zhenhua, China's chief climate negotiator and former deputy chief of the National Development and Reform Commission on Saturday.

The wider utilization of non-fossil fuels has been regarded as a major contributor.

It has accounted for 12 percent of China's primary energy mix in 2015, growing from 7.4 percent in 2005, Xie added, and it's expected to account for 20 percent by 2030.

GDP is expected to quadruple that of 2005 in 2030, but with a greener economic structure.

"China is committed to reducing carbon intensity by 60 to 65 percent by 2030, and reach the peak of carbon dioxide emissions earlier than the deadline of 2030," said Xie, at the opening ceremony of the Eco Forum Global Annual Conference Guiyang 2016, which will last till Monday.

As one of the largest global carbon emitters, China has implemented multiple policies and efforts in industrial restructuring, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, with a remarkable effect on pursuing a low carbon economy, Xie said.

Some foreign government officials and experts attended at the forum agreed with China's efforts and expected the coordinated efforts among many countries to make a difference against climate change.

Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, an island country in Pacific Ocean said global warming has brought inundating threats to islands countries like his, which requires the effective coordination from the whole world, as soon as possible. It's remarkable progress that 195 countries adopted a global climate deal in December 2015, the Paris Agreement, he said.

It's hoped that China and the global community could take the lead in the coordinated efforts to make changes and provide a safe and clean world for future generations, he said at the forum opening ceremony.

William Ruto, Vice President of Kenya praised China's efforts in reducing carbon emissions and also called for more cooperation between African countries and China in green energy utilization, especially in technologies and investment, against climate change.

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