Premier of Government of People Republic : 2019/07/11 Efforts urged to fight climate change

Premier Li Keqiang held a steering group meeting on energy conservation and emission reduction to fight climate change.

Premier Li acknowledged the achievements of recent years, including the constant decrease of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP and increasing proportion of non-fossil energy consumption.

China's total installed capacity electricity accounts for 30 percent of the figure worldwide, newly added forest volume has already achieved a goal set for 2030, emissions of major pollutants have lowered remarkably and the quality of the environment is constantly improving, the Premier said.

In the new era, high-quality development should be pursued with a plan for developing the economy and mitigating climate change, he said.

China should promote economic development and replace old growth drivers with new ones, tap into the potential of energy conservation and accelerate the establishment of a green, and low-carbon industrial system, the Premier said.

In addition, efforts should also be made in ecological civilization and pollution prevention to promote the sustainable development of the economy and society, he said.

As the biggest developing country in the world, China has outstanding issues of unbalanced and insufficient development, said the Premier.

China however will continue to meet its promise to the international community that its CO2 emission volume will peak around 2030 and see a sharp decline in emissions per unit of GDP, he said.

China is willing to join global efforts to safeguard the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, as well as equality and respective capabilities, said the Premier.

China also stands ready to push forward multilateral negotiations on climate change to reflect the wills of developing countries and make global climate governance fairer, more reasonable and cooperative, the Premier said.

Premier Li stressed that all departments should work together to push forward energy conservation and emission reduction with concerted effort in cleaner production, green traffic, and the energy-saving reconstruction of old communities.

Hydropower, wind power, solar power, and other forms of clean energy should be promoted, he said.

The Premier also called for work to realize low emissions in thermal power plants and steel production and improvements in waste-treatment infrastructure.

'We shall step up breakthroughs of key technology in clean energy and low-carbon, enhance equipment manufacturing in the sector, and make it compulsory to procure energy-saving products for public institutions,' Premier Li said.

Economic policies, laws, and regulations should be used to encourage all players to save energy and cut emissions, he said.

According to the Premier, government will strengthen support for green financing, implement preferential tax policies, and move faster in building trade markets for rights of energy, dumping, and carbon emissions.

Vice-Premiers Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Xiao Jie, and head of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng also attended the meeting.