Climate change affects everyone. Each country must assess the associated threats and jointly seek solutions.
Much as in other parts of the world, Chinese civil society has been concerned about the seriousness of climate change and its effect on people. We are calling on governments to take positive action to mitigate climate change and to help poor countries and vulnerable regions adapt.
At the United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen, Chinese civil society would like to highlight the following issues:
International negotiations
1、To avoid catastrophic climate change, clear goals for mitigating climate change must be agreed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Developed countries must take responsibility to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to take the lead in deep reductions in emissions.
2、Developed countries must commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 40% [ According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world must stay within a 2°C temperature rise, if catastrophic impacts of climate change are to be avoided. This requires developed countries to reduce their emissions by 25 - 40% by 2020. However, some vulnerable countries, especially, the small island nations, think that temperature rise should be even less–at 1.5°C; and are calling for deeper emission reductions of 40%.
]by 2020 compared with 1990 levels. Most of the reduction should take place domestically and countries should set clear ratios of local emission reductions to overseas emissions offsets through market mechanisms.
3、In recognition of the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’, developed countries must help developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change by providing financial, technological and capacity-building assistance. Developing countries should proactively implement measures of mitigating and adapting to climate change and set up voluntary domestic emission control targets. Developing countries should also enhance South-South cooperation in combating climate change.
4、Developed countries and developing countries should jointly explore the path of low-carbon and sustainable development; adjust their energy structure and improve energy efficiency. All countries should promote sustainable lifestyles and reduce energy consumption per capita through methods such as campaigning and incentives such as subsidies, as well as via legislation. Developed countries should develop their long term zero carbon plan.
5、During the Copenhagen Conference, all parties should make joint efforts to reach a fair and just agreement which benefits poor countries and vulnerable groups.
6、The global financial crisis should not be used as an excuse to ignore the urgency of climate change. Each country should work towards developing a low-carbon economy and create green employment opportunities.
Domestic policy recommendations:
7、China is the biggest carbon dioxide emitter among the developing countries. It also suffers from the impacts of climate change. China should take the lead among developing countries in combating climate change.
8、When formulating and implementing policies for adapting to and mitigating climate change the Chinese government should take the principle of social equity into full consideration.
9、The Chinese government should adopt energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures; commit to major efforts to develop renewable sources of energy, create a low-carbon economy, and follow a path of sustainable development. The government should prevent and minimise the negative impact on society and the environment when adopting policies, market mechanisms and technical measures. Mechanisms should be established by the Chinese government to improve the co-benefit of environmental protection efforts and ensure that climate policies do not conflict with other environmental protection issues.
10、The Chinese government should implement adaptation measures to reduce the impacts of climate change on ecologically vulnerable areas and on disadvantaged populations. It should enhance the capacity of and improve conditions for the poor, the disadvantaged and vulnerable areas in adapting to climate change.
11、The government should encourage the public and NGOs to participate in policy-making processes and to monitor implementation processes.
