SCIO briefing on China's Policies and Actions on Climate Change

Hong Kong Commercial Radio:

You mentioned several times about divergences that could emerge at the Paris conference, could you illustrate that?

Xie Zhenhua:

The main divergence would be how to embody the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Until now, no country openly opposes this principle, which is good. We hope we can go beyond theory and put it into practice. Take emission reduction for example: according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, developed countries should, based on their historical responsibility, development phases, ability and level of development, implement economy-wide, absolute quantified emission reduction targets, and achieve targets of at least 25% to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. This target has not been achieved yet. Developing countries should take actions based on financial and technological support from developed countries.

In the Paris agreement, such differences create a need for more innovation. As for China, we will implement economy-wide, relative quantified emission reduction, and have already announced our emission reduction target in the peak year. Every country has its particular ecological situation, infrastructure and capacity, which affects their adaptation level. However, on the whole, developed countries have relatively strong adaptive capability. Currently, lots of developing countries have no biogas systems, not to mention measures for disaster prevention and reduction. Thus, the priority is to help them improve their adaptive capability.

The divergence in funding aspect is very clear. According to the Convention, developed countries, based on different historical responsibilities, development levels and capabilities, should provide adequate financial resources to developing countries. The goal is providing US$100 billion per year by 2020, which is far from being achieved. After receiving financial support, developing countries should improve their capability as soon as possible and then take active steps. China has already established a South-South Cooperation Fund. In the past three years, the fund has spent 410 million yuan (US$64.3 million) helping more than 20 countries in emission reduction, efficiency improvement, and new energy development; and carrying out training programs for over 1,000 officials from more than 120 countries. China is trying its best to help other developing countries, but that is completely different from developed countries being required to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations.

For the issue concerning technology, according to the Convention, developed countries should provide low-carbon, energy-saving and environmental protection technology to developing countries, but that issue has not been resolved yet either.

We should improve transparency in dealing with climate change, which is a basis for establishing mutual trust. However, a considerable number of developing countries rely on developed countries to help them develop a capability in statistics, monitoring and verification. In regard to these aspects, the differences between developing and developed countries on historical responsibility, capability and development level should be clarified. Meanwhile, we should cooperate with each other and work to deal with climate change. We hope the final agreement can resolve those divergences and achieve such a goal. Thank you.