China will unveil a “strengthened” policy to combat climate change at Tuesday’s United Nations Summit in New York, the latest step in Beijing’s evolution from denial and obstruction to what many now hope will be a positive contribution to lowering carbon emissions. China’s Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, a member of the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, will attend the meeting, along with 125 world leaders. “The centrepiece [of his speech] will be to pledge a strengthened Chinese policy for addressing climate change after 2020,” said Xie Zhenhua, a deputy governor of the National Development and Reform Commission, on Friday. Prime Minister Tony Abbott will not attend the meeting, even though he is due in New York a day later to address the UN and hold a series of meetings with world leaders in an effort to combat terrorism. Australia has also indicated it will not be tabling any plans for deeper emission cuts at the summit, which has asked for “bold announcements and actions”. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Fairfax Media on Friday it was “too early” to unveil deeper cuts. Australia has pledged a 5 per cent reduction in emissions on 2000 levels by 2020, via the government’s “direct action” plan which is yet to be passed by the Senate. Despite Australia’s reluctance to take stronger action on climate change, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is attempting to capitalise on renewed momentum for a binding global agreement. “There is a sense that change is in the air,” he said. This change is being driven by the United States and to a lesser extent China, the world’s largest emitter.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 00:52:20 +0000
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