China's leaders begin challenging goal of cutting carbon emissions
China's leaders yesterday began considering proposals from the country's senior researchers in an attempt to help achieve the country's ambitious goal of cutting carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent by 2020.
The move is a sign that China will roll out more economic and industrial policies to tackle climate change this year when drawing up the development roadmap for the 12th Five-Year Plan for the years 2011 to 2015.
The political bureau of the CPC Central Committee has raised climate change as their study topic for the second time during the past two years.
At the study meeting in Beijing, President Hu Jintao said China is committed to fighting climate change, and the leadership will be working hard to mobilize efforts to realize the goal, which China came up with shortly before the Copenhagen summit.
Ever since November, when China pledged to cut carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent (from 2005 levels) before 2020, China's leaders have been involved in intensive diplomatic efforts, including wide-ranging telephone talks with world leaders, to move forward the Copenhagen agenda.
"We must fully recognize the importance, urgency and difficulty of dealing with climate change," Hu said in an address to other high-ranking leaders.
"We must make it an important strategy for our socio-economic development," Hu said.
Energy saving, emissions cuts and environmental awareness must become priorities, Hu said.
Questions:
1. By how much has China pledged to cut carbon intensity before 2020?
2. What political document will embrace China’s climate change agenda?
3. What three actions did the president say should become priorities in addressing climate change?
Answers:
1. China pledged to cut carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent (from 2005 levels) before 2020.
2. China will include climate change policies in its 12th Five-Year Plan for the years 2011 to 2015.
3. Energy saving, emissions cuts and environmental awareness actions.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.