Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - For the first time, China
has pledged to take drastic measures to combat climate change at the UN
Climate Change Summit in New York, saying it will reduce emissions by
2020 . Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli said that China's carbon emissions - the
highest in the world - will soon be drastically cut. Zhang was representing
President Xi Jinping, who was absent from the meeting that started yesterday as
was the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. For his part, President Barack Obama
pointed out that changes in climate are taking place at a faster pace than the efforts
to counteract them. And he warned Beijing and Washington have a responsibility
to lead other nations.
The UN summit is the highest level climate meeting to take place since 2009; urgently
convoked by United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon, it aims to push the 120 Member States to sign a new global climate
agreement at the Paris Conference, scheduled for December of next year. Closing
the meeting yesterday, the Secretary-General stressed that "never before have so many leaders
gathered to commit to action on climate change."
Previously, United Nations launched experts had sounded the alarm about the
effects of climate change, which may have "serious, widespread and irreversible"
consequences. These would include rising
sea levels, increased risk of flooding and sweeping changes in crops.
Speaking at the summit, which was attended by prominent figures from the world of
activism and entertainment, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and his Chinese counterpart
Li Bingbing, in addition to the Indian scientist Rajendra Pachauri, vice-premier
Zhang pledged his country's commitment. China, he warned, is committed to limiting
emissions or dramatically reducing them "as soon as possible."
"As a responsible
major country, a major developing country,' the Chinese vice-premier said "China will make even greater effort
to address climate change and take on international responsibilities that are
commensurate with our national conditions and actual capabilities". Zhang
concluded: "All countries need to follow the path of green and low carbon
development that suits their national conditions, [and] set forth post-2020
actions in light of actual circumstances."