China’s emissions unlikely to fall low enough because 2C target ‘does not provide room for developing countries’
by Jonathan Watts,
Asia environment correspondent
TheGuardian.co.uk
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Don’t expect China to keep global warming below 2C, a senior government adviser warned in Beijing today at the launch of an influential report on the nation’s prospects for low-carbon growth.
Even in a best-case scenario with massive investment in solar energy and carbon capture technology, Dai Yande, deputy chief of the Energy Research Institute, said China’s emissions were unlikely to fall low enough to remain below the temperature goal recommended by the G8 and European Union.
His prediction will alarm those governments and scientists who warn that a rise more than 2C risks disastrous consequences in terms of food security, migration, sea-level rises and extreme weather events.
“You should not target China to fulfill the two degree target. That is just a vision. Reality has deviated from that vision,” said Dai. “We do not think that target provides room for developing countries.” China argues that its priority must be economic growth to relieve poverty among its vast population.
The complete article can be read at The Guardian online.
(Note: 2ºC would equate to a temperature increase of approximately 4-5ºF)
