Skip to content

Climate

China not on board with CO2 - why a 16% cut means rising emissions

by Martin Leggett 28 Feb 2011
China not on board with CO2 - why a 16% cut means rising emissions

The Chinese government has made more promising noises on their intent to continue to reduce their economy's carbon intensity, Reuters has reported on Sunday. The pledge to cut emissions intensity of economic growth, by 16-17%, over the next 5 years, was made by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in an online question-and-answer session. It has been taken by many as a sign of good progress in international efforts to bring emissions down – and so reduce the prospects for accelerating global warming over the coming century.

Whilst this pledge is part of a 20-year plan to reduce carbon intensity by 40-45% by 2020, relative to 2005, reducing the intensity of emissions is not the same as reducing total emissions. Intensity is measured per unit GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and while China continues to grow, and grow fast, such a cut is unlikely to curtail China's total emission output.

With economic growth in China regularly hitting a 10% annual rate over the last decade, the new economic powerhouse of the world will likely post a fourfold leap in its economy over the same period. Put that quadrupling of GDP together with a 45% cut in emissions 'intensity', and at best (or worst), China's total emissions in 2020 could be double those of 2005.

China has already surpassed the US as the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases, responsible for over 20% of gases pumped out in 2007. So what happens in China matters deeply for the prospects of the world getting onto a less self-destructive emissions path

Of course the Chinese must be given huge credit for the big cuts in carbon intensity already achieved – with an apparent 20% reduction in energy used per unit of GDP, also announced by Premier Wen, for 2006-2010. That compares favorably with the 17% reduction in carbon intensity that the US saw over a much longer period, from 1990 to 2000.

But it does beg the question of whether breakneck economic growth is compatible with stabilizing emissions; or whether it is in fact helping to put the 'pedal to the metal', as the world hurtles towards irreversible climate change. And that question must be asked as much of consumer society in the West, whose material consumption has driven much of that growth, as of those in China who seek to emulate it.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping