Report: China greenhouse gas emissions could peak in 2030

China’s greenhouse gas emissions could peak in 2030 if it invests heavily in clean fuel technologies and sets emissions reduction targets, AFP reported, citing a government panel. The panel was made of up of experts from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Development Research Centre of the State Council. It advocated Beijing shift its economy to one that operates on clean fuels such as nuclear energy, and that strict emissions and power supply quotas be imposed on plants, vehicles and buildings. Tax incentives should also be introduced to encourage research into and use of energy-saving and pollution-reducing technologies. If the panel’s recommendations are followed, emissions would slow by 2020 and begin to drop by 2030 – while maintaining economic growth. China would then reach 2005 emissions levels by 2050. The panel’s report comes as Beijing prepares for talks on a new climate change pact in Copenhagen in December. China is one of the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.