Wen to Take Chinese Carbon Emission Targets to Copenhagen

China has announced that it will take carbon reduction targets to the the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. In an announcement released on Thursday afternoon, the State Council revealed that at a meeting held the previous day, they had agreed to a plan that will result in a 40% to 45% reduction in the amount of carbon-emissions per unit of GDP by 2020. The reductions are based on the 2005 carbon emission levels.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, also announced that Wen Jiabao, China's Premier, will attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference which is to be held in Copenhagen from December 7 to 18.

In the official statement posted to the government website, China also pledged to lift the proportion of non-fossil fuel based energy production as a proportion of the total amount of energy consumption to 15% by 2020, and to enlarge forest coverage by an additional 40 million hectares based on the figure for 2005.

The statement also emphasises that the new targets are "a voluntary action" taken by the Chinese government "based on our own national conditions" and "is a major contribution to the global effort in tackling climate change."

The news follows closely on the heels of a similar announcement from the Obama administration. President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on Dec. 9 and will also be taking newly-announced U.S. emission targets to the negotiating table with him.

According to the official announcement, posted to the White House website, "the President is prepared to put on the table a U.S. emissions reduction target in the range of 17% below 2005 levels in 2020 and ultimately in line with final U.S. energy and climate legislation."

It goes on to add that "in light of the President's goal to reduce emissions 83% by 2050, the expected pathway set forth in this pending legislation would entail a 30% reduction below 2005 levels in 2025 and a 42% reduction below 2005 in 2030."

Links and Sources
Gov.cn: 国务院常务会研究决定我国控制温室气体排放目标

Gov.cn: 外交部宣布：温家宝将出席哥本哈根气候变化大会

Xinhua: 到2020年中国单位国内生产总值二氧化碳排放比2005年下降40%-45%

The White House: President to Attend Copenhagen Climate Talks