BEIJING: Data compiled by a Chinese government department give indications that the country will overtake the United States earlier than estimated as the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide.
According to an official of a Chinese agency that advises the government on energy policies, the country's fuel consumption had risen 9.3 per cent in 2006 to an equivalent of 2.4 billion tons of coal. Energy analysts say this will mean that the country will overtake the U.S. as the largest carbon dioxide emitter in 2007.
This contention is corroborated by the findings of a scientist at the U.S. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, which provides analyzed data to governmental and research organizations around the world. Gregg Marland, a senior scientist at the center, using fossil fuel consumption data from oil major BP, calculated that China's carbon dioxide emissions in 2005 was 5.3 billion tons against the 5.9 billion tons by the U.S. with the two countries accounting for 10.5 per cent and 0.1 per cent growth respectively.
He says it is likely that China will outpace the U.S. in 2007.
BP had estimated that there is a 9 per cent rise in China's oil, gas and coal consumption in 2005 to 1.45 billion tons of oil equivalent.
These revelations are likely to bring in more pressure on China to initiate preventive action on climate change.
The International Energy Agency had said earlier China will overtake the U.S. as the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide before 2010.
Data for the year 2003 put forth by the U.N. shows the U.S. as the top emitter with a 23 per cent share of world carbon dioxide emissions. China comes second with 16.5 per cent. However, U.S. individuals accounted for a larger emission of 20 tons per capita compared to China's 3.2 tons per capita and a world average of 3.7 tons per capita.
Nearly 70 per cent of China's energy needs are met by coal-powered sources.
The IEA has estimated that China's power generating capacity could equal to the entire existing capacity of the whole of the EU by 2015. .
The large growth in emissions by China is one of the reasons why the U.S. and Australia have refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which urges the industrialized countries to enforce limits on emissions, but exempts developing economies including China, India and Brazil. The protocol has been signed by 35 developed countries.
