Confusion to be expected…
Posted on 03. Oct, 2010 by annac in United Kingdom
Any clues to what this Chinese road sign means? So far we have don't drive your car into a broken wine glass....
We’re in China!
Sorry for pointing out the obvious, it’s just I still have to pinch myself when I think about it. Me and Ferran the Spanish tracker periodically look at each other and just grin. Because it’s so crazy that we are here together…in CHINA!
But it’s not just a big deal for me and the team that we’re in China. The fact that the UN climate talks are here at all is a big deal. It can’t have escaped many people’s attention by now that the role China has to play in all of this is huge.
Recently China overtook the USA as the worlds biggest emitter, they pretty much single handedly drive the world energy demand and they are heavily coal reliant. Therefore if we are to beat this, if we are to reduce our emissions enough to save our climate, if we are to build a better future together, China’s role in making it happen is integral - both inside and outside the UNFCCC.
But over the last few years China’s role has been causing some confusion. There are so many facts and figures flowing around, so many stories true and false about what happened in Copnehagen that it’s hard to know what to think when it comes to China.
It’s a bit like when the team go out for dinner here, I don’t think I can even begin to describe to you what it’s like trying to order Chinese food for 13 different nationalities who all have a different take on what they like. Throw in a few vegetarians and the fact basically no one here understands English and I think you can begin to imagine the scene.
Luckily for us we have a new Chinese tracker who is doing an amazing job sorting us all out and giving us some clarity on what we have ordered and what we are eating. So I’m going to try and follow in her footsteps and clear up some Chinese climate confusion.
Confusion 1. It’s all China’s fault anyway isn’t it?
Clarity. Yes China do now emit more than the USA and they are now driving global energy demand. However since the mid 1880s (when this all really kicked off) US emissions have accounted for 29% of the global total, while Chinese have only accounted for 8%. Chinese per capita emissions are about 4.5 tonnes per person compared to 20.58 tonnes in Australia.
Confusion 2. But the Chinese don’t care, they refuse to stop using coal don’t they?
Clarity. Yes by 2030 the projected coal-fired generating capacity is expected to nearly triple with coal remaining as China’s main energy source and production increasing 30% by 2015. However there are signs coming out of China that policy makers realise that their current position is unsustainable. Though the amount of coal used went up in 2008 growth actually went down and spending and investment in renewables is huge.
Confusion 3. What we need if for China to just cap its emissions, don’t we?
Clarity. Yes a cap and trade system would provide some degree of certainty and by 2052 China will have larger cumulative emissions than western Europe and the USA. However a cap and trade system relies on complicated monitoring that the Chinese just do not have at the minute, and it also relies on complex market structures that again China may not have. In September 2009 China did embark on a voluntary emissions trading system that could yet to be seen as the first step towards a cap and trade system.
Confusion 4. China’s really rich right, can’t they just sort their own problems out?
Clarity. The Chinese have done a remarkable job on poverty reduction with the benefits of China’s economic growth reaching the whole of Chinese society. Several hundred million Chinese have been lifted out of poverty and in terms of the human development index China now compares favourably to levels in middle income countries. However as of 2005 China still has 254 people million consuming less than $1.25 dollars a day and income inequality has increased significantly since the start of economic reforms. Because of changes in China income now matters much more than it used to in terms of access to health and education. Even with the major reductions in poverty 20% of the worlds poor still live in China.
So you can see the case of China is not black and white, and it’s the same with their negotiating position. China have had all sorts of blame thrown at them for the way negotiations went in Copenhagen and they are a key player to us getting progress in the next few years. So what are they really saying?
Well, they did sign the Copenhagen accord, however their approach in the negotiations is very much a wait and see one, they are unwilling to commit until the developed world do.
But though they may not be committing in the negotiations they are sending out many signals in other ways.
They are the world’s largest investor in green technology.
The world’s leading renewable energy producer.
The world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines.
The world leader in low carbon transport.
I could go on…
Outside these negotiations China is getting to work! We can only wait to see if this translates to work inside the conference centre this week.
But as the climate talks begin here in China I hope I have provided you with some clarity, I may not be as useful as our Chinese tracker in a restaurant, but I hope you have an idea now of what is really on the menu here in China.
awesome post anna, thanks!
Really interesting - I didn’t know much about China apart from the ‘it’s all their fault’ stance before but it seems as if they might be getting ready to buy in to the process a bit more. Hope you have an interesting time there.