专家:中国能实现碳排放目标

As the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, China and America made their respective carbon emission plans after President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama held talks at the just concluded APEC meetings.

For the very first time, China pledges its emissions will peak around 2030, and intends to increase the non-fossil fuels share in its primary energy consumption to around 20 percent, while, the U.S. commits to reduce its emissions by 26-28 percent in 2025.

Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, says the commitment represents China's responsibility as a major global power.

"Last year, China has, for the first time, committed to cut overall coal consumption in key areas, which has laid a sound foundation to nail down the carbon emission peak. However, curbing regional pollution does not necessarily mean the reduction of the overall emission. Coal is the common source of both air pollution and climate change. By formulating favorable policies and taking positive steps to control coal production, we will realize the emission reduction collaboratively."

Han Xiaoping, Chief information officer from Energy Information and Consulting Service, shows great confidence in realizing the goals.

"Currently, China has the largest installed hydropower capacity in the world, with a large number of hydropower stations still under construction. Meanwhile, China has the world's No.1 wind power capacity, with annual growth of 20 million kilowatt. Besides, our solar energy is developing at a very fast pace although its proportion is not very high. In addition, we are planning to construct nuclear generator units with 5-6 thousand kilowatt capacity. Altogether, we are likely to reach the goal before 2030."

Han points out that China will face energy structure adjustment to reduce reliance on coal and other fossil fuels, which will help realize sustainable development, not the other way around.

By the year 2020, China is expected to increase its natural gas proportion to 10% of the total energy use. Apart from this, China will increase its renewable resources, including nuclear power.

Hong Lei, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman

"China set the goals after long-term research and study, and we have ambitions to realize them with best efforts. China has been holding an earnest and serious attitude towards climate issues. The second one is that international society has to strengthen cooperation in coping with climate change."

At the same time, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Xie Zhenhua says the commitment will soon become legally-binding after full consideration and approval of the National People's Congress, the legislature.

According to Xie, the Chinese government has already put the legislation on the agenda.

For CRI, this is Wang Mengzhen.