China
Global warming is a serious concern and who can understand it better than China. The dangerous level of greenhouse gases and particulate matter perpetually cover Beijing in thick smog, forcing people to move around in face masks.
However, China’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions is clearly visible in its recent feat. China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has dramatically cut its carbon dioxide emissions in a period of four months.
So what’s behind China’s decrease in carbon emissions?
In a recent report Greenpeace/ Energydesk China found China’s coal use slumped by 8 per cent, leading to a drop in the level of CO2 emissions by 5 per cent in the first four months of the year. The reduction is equal to the amount UK emits in the same period.
It also predicted that if the decline continues until the reminder of the year, it will be “the largest recorded year-on-year reduction in coal use and CO2 in any country”.
This news comes just before the Business and Climate Summit to be held in Paris, which will see global leaders coming together to formulate and adopt strategies against climate change.
While cutting down on coal may be good indicator but it has cast a shadow on the coal-fired plants. Coal still contributes significantly to China’s economy, and accounts for over 75% of China’s primary energy consumption.
China, however, is making significant efforts to invest in green energy such as hydro, wind, and solar. Earlier last year, BRIC PLUS revealed the growing popularity for e-bikes in China. It is a huge challenge for a nation with the largest manufacturing sector to suddenly take the lead in carbon emission reduction. However, clearly enthusiasm for such a reduction exists amongst China’s citizens.
If one is to measure the chances of success on the basis of future generations and their attitudes then surely China has the appetite to reduce pollution to a sustainable level.
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