[LINK] China serious about climate change

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

China Asks Japan to Hold Climate Forum, Seeks Clean Technology 

By Yuji Okada and Shigeru Sato http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?
pid=20601101&sid=aQxNG6npcHA8&refer=japan

 May 25 (Bloomberg) -- China said it wants Japan to set up a forum in 
Tokyo with developers of clean technologies this year to help the world's 
fastest-growing major economy find ways to reduce carbon emissions. 

Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform 
Commission, proposed holding the meeting when he met yesterday with 
Japan's Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita, a ministry official told 
reporters under the condition of anonymity. Xie and Kamoshita are 
attending the Group of Eight environment ministers meeting in Japan's 
western city of Kobe. 

China's President Hu Jintao and Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda this 
month agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling climate change. 

Japan, hosting the G-8 summit in July, is taking the initiative in 
persuading developing nations to take part in a successor to the 1997 
Kyoto Protocol. 

Xie, who proposed holding the meeting at the end of the year, emphasized 
that Japanese support is vital for China to cope with global warming and 
other environmental issues, the official said. 

Kamoshita has said G-8 countries should make concerted efforts to raise 
global funds to develop clean technologies and help developing countries 
reduce greenhouse gases that are blamed for global warming. 

Along with the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations, nine other countries 
are participating in the Kobe event including Australia, Brazil, China, 
India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa. 

The 1997 Kyoto Protocol requires its 37 signatory nations to cut emissions 
by a combined 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. 

Rejected Kyoto 

China and the U.S., the two biggest emitters, aren't subject to any 
emissions targets. The U.S. rejected Kyoto as being unfair because it set 
no emission cuts for developing nations. The U.S. clashed with developing 
nations at the talks in Indonesia over wording laying out possible 
commitments for poorer nations. 

Today, the officials are scheduled to discuss long-term reduction target 
of the heat-trapping gas emissions and ways to help developing countries 
reduce the harmful gases. The meeting ends tomorrow. 
--

Cheers people
Stephen Loosley
Victoria, Australia