China clarifies carbon dioxide emission limits

BBC : As more evidence arises in support of rapid climate change, Xie Zhenhua, who is in charge of China’s climate-change policy, has clarified his country’s position regarding carbon dioxide emissions. Like the US, China considers CO ₂ emissions per person, instead of a country-wide cap, to be the basis for international climate-change negotiations.On a visit to the UK, Xie told members of parliament that China will not allow its per capita CO ₂ emissions to reach US levels because that would be a “disaster for the world.” Without intervention, China would reach those levels by 2017.China is already the top emitter of CO ₂, mainly due to its extensive investment in heavy industries and coal-fired power plants.To reduce emissions, said Xie, China will improve energy efficiency by 40% and invest more in low-carbon power sources. China invested more in renewable and nuclear power plants last year than did any other country.