Part 5 China's Position on Key

Climate Change Issues and Needs for International Cooperation

Climate change, the impacts of which have been felt all over the world, was mainly caused by the massive emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases originated from developed countries since industrial revolution. Broad international cooperation is necessary to address climate change. In order to effectively address climate change and implement this national program, China is ready to strengthen international cooperation with all countries. Meanwhile, China would like to appeal to the developed countries to sincerely fulfill their commitments under the Convention to provide financial assistance and transfer technology to developing countries so as to enhance their capacity to address climate change.

5.1 China's Position on Key Climate Change Issues

5.1.1 Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is one of the important components in addressing climate change. According to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" of the UNFCCC, the Parties included in Annex I to the Convention should take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For developing countries with less historical emission and current low per capita emission, their priority is to achieve sustainable development. As a developing country, China will stick to its sustainable development strategy and take such measures as energy efficiency improvement, energy conservation, development of renewable energy, ecological preservation and construction, as well as large-scale tree planting and afforestation, to control its greenhouse gas emissions and make further contribution to the protection of global climate system.

5.1.2 Adaptation to climate change

Adaptation to climate change is an integral part of addressing climate change. In the past, sufficient attention was not given to adaptation, but it is now required a shift in direction. When formulating further legal documents to address climate change in the future, the international community should give full consideration to adaptation to the climate change already under way, especially the promotion of developing countries' capacity against extreme climatic events. For this purpose, China is ready to cooperate with the international community to actively participate in activities for climate change adaptation and formulation of relevant legal documents.

5.1.3 Technology cooperation and transfer

Technology will play the central role in addressing climate change. International technology cooperation and transfer should be strengthened to share the benefit of technological development worldwide. Measures in this regard should include the following: establishing an effective technology cooperation mechanism to promote research and development, deploy and transfer ring technology of addressing climate change; eliminating obstacles to technology cooperation and transfer in terms of policy, institution, procedures, financial resources and protection of intellectual property rights; initiating incentive measures for technology cooperation and transfer to ensure its occurrence in reality; establishing a special fund for international technology cooperation so that environment and climate-friendly technologies are accessible and affordable to developing countries.

5.1.4 Full implementation of commitments to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol

The UNFCCC has provided the objectives, principles and commitments to address climate change, based on which the Kyoto Protocol further sets up the specific greenhouse gas reduction targets for Annex I country Parties for the period from 2008 to 2012. All parties are supposed to faithfully implement their respective commitments to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. The developed countries should fulfill their commitments of taking the lead to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and providing financial assistance and technology transfer to the developing countries. As a country of responsibility, China will seriously fulfill its commitments to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

5.1.5 Regional cooperation on climate change

The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol establish the major legal frameworks for the international community to address climate change, which does not mean to close the door to regional cooperation on climate change. Regional cooperation on climate change, in any form, should function as a helpful complement to the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol rather than replacing or weakening them. The purpose of regional cooperation should be to stimulate all efforts to address climate change and boost practical international cooperation. China will participate in regional cooperation on climate change in this way.