China cleaning up its image with renewable energy

• Source: Global Times
• [23:34 October 15 2009]
• Comments

China has long been labelled a global climate change villain – unwilling to commit to a firm emissions reduction target and reluctant to reduce its carbon footprint to the same level as developed countries despite being the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide.

This picture ignores the rapid progress China is making in clean energy development. In fact, in many aspects, China leads the world in the fight against climate change.

The Climate Group's recent report, China's Clean Revolution II, highlights what the Asian powerhouse is doing, not just for the sake of the climate, but for its own sake.

Wu Changhua, the China director for The Climate Group, said the country's climate change image was undergoing a makeover. "We are definitely a good guy now,'' she said. "Where have people been? For a long time China was painted as a bad guy. Countries like China and India have been in that category, but starting this year, with more and more information being disclosed to the international community, they are starting to recognise the contribution that China has been making.''

China's top leadership had decided to take an alternative paradigm for the sake of the country, Wu said. "Renewable energy is now considered as a strategic element in the country's future competitiveness internationally.''

One of the first signs that China has chosen a greener path was its 4 trillion yuan stimulus package, with almost 40 percent directed towards green initiatives.

UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said China's stimulus package would position it as a world leader in fighting global warming, and well ahead of the US in dealing with climate change.

"China's energy efficiency has improved dramatically but still, if you compare energy efficiency levels to other countries, China is still lagging behind,'' Wu said.

The Chinese Government has adopted a multifaceted approach to climate change.

Its attention to renewable energy has come about because it has found a market to sell into. The Climate Group report shows that 44 percent of the world's solar photovoltaic technology last year was produced by China.

Growth in installed wind turbines is faster in China than in any other country. Wind power in 2008 topped 12 gigawatts – a figure that is doubling every year. The country has committed to a renewable energy target of 15 per cent by 2020.

Source: Sydney Herald Morning, October 15