Gabriel Discusses Climate Change in China

The United Nations wants greenhouse emissions to be halved by 2050 to limit the ongoing global warming. A new climate pact which the countries from around the world are likely to adopt in the Danish capital Copenhagen in December is expected to pave the way.

But for that, all parties need to reach a consensus, the main reason for German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel's current visit to China. Emerging countries needed to be brought on board to make the Copenhagen conference a success, Gabriel said in Beijing while speaking to journalists:

"We have been telling our negotiating partners in emerging countries such as China or India that even if we, the industrialized countries, bring our emissions to zero level, the climate change can not be stopped. The emissions from the emerging countries are growing incredibly fast and therefore it is important that China and India are ready to limit their emissions too."

China’s role

There are several reasons which hold China back from signing any treaty. Firstly, China, as a developing country, does not need to undertake any binding commitment. Secondly, it argues, the industrialised nations have mainly caused climate change, so they must primarily take responsibility to limit the damage.

Despite these arguments, Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel does not see any ground to worry. "China is one of the most progressive players in the international climate change negotiations,” Gabriel said:

“It is important that we, the industrialised countries, do not provide China and others any more excuses in that we are not united. And for that the U.S. must do more than what they are prepared to do now."

Environmental technology

The leadership in Beijing has recognized that environment and climate change are important, Gabriel told journalists in Beijing. The country has invested heavily in environmental technologies and development of renewable energy in recent years:

"China also knows that the environmental damage caused due to its growing industrialisation is incredibly expensive, and that the raw materials in the world are also limited. Moreover, the commodity prices are going to rise again after the crisis. That’s why China is investing in environmental technology."

On Thursday, Gabriel will inaugurate a German-China environment forum, aiming to boost bilateral co-operation in the field of environmental technology. He is also due to hold talks with Xie Zhenhua, China’s negotiator for climate talks.

Author: Petra Aldenrath/ Disha Uppal
Editor: Arun Chowdhury