United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark highly praised China for its quantitative GHG emissions reduction target and expressed her aspiration for the upcoming Copenhagen climate summit next month, at a press briefing in Beijing November 28, 2009.

China's State Council announced Thursday that China is going to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40 to 45 percent compared with the level of 2005.

"This is a very important emissions cut target. I think all of us observe China, observe the 40 to 45 percent emissions reduction target it's determined to make. Now, it will look for and support any ideas to achieve this. We UNDP will share experience with, provide expertise and support to help China in this respect, I would think," Clark said. "This announcement, at this time, is of great importance in the lead up to the Copenhagen summit. Its announcement that Premier Wen himself with a substantial delegation will go to Copenhagen also puts momentum into the climate talks. So I think the announcements from China this week, part from subconscious and ambition, are also moving in generating a final agreement at Copenhagen."

As for the prospect at Copenhagen, Clark mentioned that "the aspiration is for a political agreement which could be translated in the course of next six months to one year into a legally binding treaty. This is still possible, and China's announcement this week is possibly a promotion to the world's achievement."

Clark also reiterated that successful climate negotiations will have to be emphasized enough from the developed countries. "We wait to see precisely what President Obama will take to Copenhagen and we appreciate that this time the American Senate has not announced its legislation, but the US needs to be hard of its commitment."

Clark's visit to China lasted three days, when she met with state leaders and senior government officials to lay the groundwork for a new era of cooperation with China. The trip commemorated the 30th anniversary of UNDP's cooperation with the Chinese government. Tackling climate change is just one of the areas meriting attention in particular.

During the past 30 years of partnership, UNDP and China has been working closely together as China takes steps towards becoming a lower carbon economy. As estimated, 350 million more people will live in Chinese cities in 2030 compared to 2005. Accommodating them presents a unique opportunity to build green, urban communities from the start. UNDP is hence supporting China's efforts to be more energy efficient through its development of sustainable cities.

In the area of renewable energy, Clark believes that "China can be a world leader, exporting knowledge and technology, and demonstrating that economic growth is fully compatible with protecting our planet."

She said China's current policy of seeking a balance between economic growth and environmental protection is also a very important international message. China will be and already is a significant provider of low-cost, low-carbon technologies.

Zhou Shengxian, Minister of Environmental Protection, during discussions with Miss Clark, also expressed a readiness to work with UNDP in sharing with other countries available environmentally-friendly technologies.

(China.org.cn November 29, 2009)