Carbon intensity in China reduced by 20 percent in 5 years

China’s carbon intensity has decreased by 20 percent over the past five years, exceedingthe country's goal of 17 percent, according to an official report released on Nov. 1.

The annual report, China’s Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change (2016),was published by the State Council Information Office to introduce China’s progress andachievement in coping with climate change since the 12th Five-Year Plan (2010-2015).

Xie Zhenhua, China’s special representative on climate change, reported the new statisticto media on Nov. 1. Energy in China has been optimized in the past five years, with theconsumption of non-fossil fuels at 12 percent, exceeding the original target of 11.4 percent.

In addition to China’s effective control over greenhouse gas emissions, the country hasalso tackled climate change through the use of quotas. For instance, a quota of 120 milliontons of carbon dioxide equivalents was imposed on seven pilot carbon emissions tradingmarkets, with an accumulated transaction volume of over 3.2 billion RMB, Xie added.

As a prominent developing country, China has not only set a good example for curbingcarbon gas emissions, but also gone to great lengths to help other developing countriesadapt to climate change. China has launched 10 low-carbon projects and 100 climatechange mitigation and adaptation projects. The country has also announced plans to train1,000 climate change experts and officials in developing countries.

The report was released just before the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties to theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held inMarrakech, Morocco between Nov. 7 and 18.

(PEOPLE'S DAILY ONLINE)