Decades-long growth of greenhouse gas emissions
Chinese leaders pledged for the first time to cap the country's decades-long growth of greenhouse gas emissions. Since China emits more carbon and other heat-trapping gases than any other country, the pledge boosted global efforts to prevent catastrophic climate change. Fulfilling its pledge, however, will require China to transform a booming economy that still largely depends on polluting industries such as steel production and manufacturing. The country does have important advantages, having already developed enormous capacities for solar, wind and other renewable energy sources.
WHAT CHINA HAS PLEDGED:
China pledged to halt the growth in its greenhouse gas emissions around 2030 or earlier if possible. It didn't, however, specify a peak emissions level. It said it would produce a fifth of its total energy from non-fossil-fuel sources, including nuclear energy, by 2030. That would double the current share of non-fossil fuels in the country's energy mix.
China accounts for about 30 percent of global emissions and releases twice as much greenhouse gases as the United States, the world's second-biggest emitter. U.S. government estimates show China doubling its emissions by 2040 without major changes.
WHAT IT'S ALREADY DONE:
China produces more solar panels and wind turbines than any other country and has built dozens of dams inside and outside the country to produce hydropower.