“China has only ever been on defence when it comes to climate change, but today’s announcement is the first step for a more active role. For success in Paris, however, all players – including China and the EU – need to up their game,” said Li Shuo, climate analyst for Greenpeace China.
With China’s announcement, the world’s top polluters – China, the US and the EU – have now all tabled their climate plans ahead of the global climate conference taking place in Paris at the end of the year.
“Today’s pledge must be seen as only the starting point for much more ambitious action. It does not fully reflect the significant energy transition that is already taking place in China. Given the dramatic fall in coal consumption, robust renewable energy uptake, and the urgent need to address air pollution, we believe the country can go well beyond what it has proposed today,” added Li Shuo.
China’s current carbon intensity target requires a reduction of CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45% by 2020, based on 2005 levels. Assuming China delivers 45% by 2020, a 65% and 60% carbon intensity reduction will mean 4.4% and 3.1% annual carbon intensity decrease respectively between 2020 and 2030. Achieving 45% carbon intensity reduction by 2020 would mean annual carbon intensity reduction of 3.9%.
Media Contacts:
Li Shuo (currently in Europe),Climate & Energy Policy Officer, Greenpeace East Asia
Email: [email protected] phone: +49 151-6194-5236
Tina Loeffelbein, Political Communications Lead, International Climate Politics, Greenpeace Germany
Email: [email protected], phone:+49 151 167 209 15
Tom Baxter(based in Beijing), International Communications Officer, Greenpeace East Asia
Email: [email protected], phone:+86 188-1134-4861
Romina Sanfourche, PR Officer, Greenpeace France
Email: [email protected], phone: +33 6 46 90 21 03