Question: Recently, an offical from the UK side talked about Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions at the 28th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), and said that China was a major emitter and itsemissions hadsignificantly increased since 1990. What is China's comment on this?
Embassy Spokesperson: The comment of thisofficial was one-sided and inconsistent with the facts. It lacked scientific basis and faieds to demonstrate a positive attitude needed for climate response.
Global warming is the result of cumulative emissions of greenhouse gases. Developed countrieshave been releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the past more than 200 years of industrialisation. They have unshirkable historical responsibility for climate change, including the UK.
China has stayed true to its promises and made significant contributions to global climate governance. We havemade great efforts to advance green development. In 2022, ourCO2 emission intensitywas down by more than 51 percent compared to 2005. Our production and sales volume of EVs have ranked first globally, and over half of the world's EVs run on roads in China. Our installed capacity of non-fossil energy has increased to 50.9 percent in energy mix.We have stopped building new coal-fired power plants overseas. Weare supplying 50 percent of wind power and 80 percent of photovoltaic equipment of the world. We have been actively promoting international collaboration on climate change and allocated more than RMB 1.2 billion yuan of special funds for South-South cooperation to support developing countries in capacity building.
China has announced its targets for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Developed countries generally set a timeframe of 40 to 70 years to move from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality, while China only gives itself 30 years. This fully reflects China’s sense of responsibility and new contributions to global climate response. It also demonstrates China’s ambition and global leadership commensurate with its development stage and national realities.
Tackling climate change is a common cause for all humanity. The principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities should be upheld. The goals of the Paris Agreement should be implemented in full and effectively. Developed countries ought to shoulder their obligations, and take the lead in drastically cutting emissions and significantly increase support for developing ones in finance, technology, and capacity building. In this regard, the UK need tostep up efforts, rather than lower the target or delay the time frame ofits emission reduction.
We hope the UK will respect the facts and take concrete actions to work with other countries to collectively address this common challenge of humanity, rather than shirk responsibility.
