Chinese engagement on environment wins applaud
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail
Xinhua, October 14, 2011
China has strong engagement in environment protection and energy policies including not only commitments but also concrete practices, Chinese official said Thursday at an international forum.
"It's imperative to share Chinese engagement on environmental protection and energy policy at this international stage," said Wenhang Huang, director of the Division of International Cooperation at the Department of Climate Change under National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
She made the remarks to Xinhua after speaking at a key seminar themed on changing energy landscape at the 7th Woman's Forum Global meeting in Deauville, France.
In 2006-2010, China has invested 2 billion yuan (310 million U.S. dollars) in developing green energy, and created 28 million jobs, in which women has taken an important share, Huang told hundreds of audience.
To fulfill the commitment on green economy, China has shut down small thermal power plants accounting 76.8 GW and promoted Low-carbon Pilot Program, which was warmly embraced by local governments, she said.
Five provinces and eight municipalities are involved in the program by actively investing in R&D and promoting low-carbon lifestyle, according to NDRC data.
According to the International Energy Agency, though China takes significant share in the increase of global energy demand by 2035, it is also the leader of renewable energy development, especially in solar and wind energy.
So far, China has generated 10.8GW of nuclear power, 40GW of wind power and 10GW of solar power, which has put China into a first line runner of using renewable energy.
To address the audience's interest in China's future policy in enhancing energy-efficiency, the Chinese official said, China has a 2-trillion-yuan stimulus package for energy conservation and emission reduction for 2011-2015 and additional 4 million green jobs will be created.
"This is the first time that the government integrated such green economy policy in our year plans," she said.
As to fight on climate change, she underlined the importance of worldwide joint efforts, echoing former-CEO of Areva Anne Lauvergeon, who was also at the panel and called for "global governance" on the issue.
"In order to achieve a comprehensive, balanced and positive outcome, we hope to see for the coming Durban Conference, the annex 1 developed countries assume their quantified emission reduction targets in the second commitment period, and non-annex 1 developed countries also sets up comparable clear targets in no time," Huang said at the seminar.
Her frankness on Chinese position sparked loud applaud from the audience.
President of France Asia Association, Jean-Marie Cambaceres commented that China's role and actions in environment protection movement was impressive.
The Deauville Women's Forum starting Wednesday will last till Saturday with delegations from around 80 countries and 15 percent participants are male.
Energy policy after the Japan earthquake, economic crisis shadowing global growth prospect and political changes in North Africa are major issues discussed at the open forum but featured with a special female's view.
