China follows US in agreeing to set targets on greenhouse gas emissions
The Chinese government said on Thursday it had set a target to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 as its economy grows. According to the announcement, China aims to reduce carbon intensity by 40% to 45% from 2005 levels. Although praised by environmental advocates inside China, this number is below the goal some negotiators in the US and Europe are aiming at. They argue China should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%. China’s announcement came a day after the White House announced its provisional target for reductions in overall greenhouse gas emissions in the US. President Obama and Premier Hu Jintao had discussed climate change when the two met in Beijing 10 days ago. The back-to-back announcements are politically safe opening bids in what will be a long, tough process of negotiations on concrete steps that will get up close and personal at the Copenhagen climate conference next month. Now that Obama has announced he will attend the conference, the Chinese said Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, would attend as well. For more information, read the New York Times
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