In a recent report prepared by its National Bureau of Statistics, China has acknowledged that its consumption of fossil fuels rose by 9.3 per cent in
2006 over the previous year.
The report comes soon after another study by the International Energy Agency (a Paris-based alliance of oil-importing nations) that has put the
total carbon dioxide emission by China at 3.3 billion tonnes and says the country is likely to cross the us greenhouse
gas emissions by 2009. China's emission, 42 per cent of us gas emissions in 2001, rose to 97 per cent of the us figure by 2006. "By 2030, China will emit 39 per cent of the total global carbon dioxide emission, largely due to its reliance
on coal-fired power plants for energy," notes the report. At present, China emits 14.5 per cent of the world's carbon dioxide, with per capita
emission a little above two tonnes.
Meanwhile, China has started working on its first plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Though reports suggest that the plan will not include
quantitative reduction targets, China has announced plans to increase its expenditure on wind power and improve energy efficiency in existing
buildings.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.