Beijing’s top climate envoy said Wednesday that China would be willing to discuss a target to halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 if the US offers sharper carbon cuts by 2020, Reuters reported. Speaking at the UN climate change talks, Xie Zhenhua said, “I do hope that President Obama can bring a concrete contribution to Copenhagen.” He clarified that this meant improving on Washington’s current offer, which equates to a 3% reduction in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020. A UN panel recommended developed nations reduce emissions by 25-40% on 1990 levels by 2020. Xie added that China is sticking to its earlier call for cuts of “at least 40%.” Xie went on to say that developing nations will only commit to the 2050 target if more financial assistance is provided. Like other Chinese officials, he rejected the UN proposal of US$10 billion a year for 2010-2012 as “not enough.” Meanwhile, a report released by Chinese scientists in Beijing said the country must do much more if the 2050 target is to be met.
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