China says it will cut carbon emissions by up to 45 per cent as measured against economic gains within a decade from now, setting the goal ahead of next month's international climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The country announced plans Thursday for the cut, which will be measured against economic output--a measurement that compares carbon dioxide emission per unit of gross domestic product, or 'carbon intensity.'
The goal means China will try to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP between 40 and 45 per cent by 2020 over levels in 2005.
Under the plan, emissions will fall only under this measurement. Since China's economy continues to grow, it means the total amount will not necessarily fall. In fact, the total number could even increase as the country's economy further develops, The Associated Press reported.
The plan is meant to help sustain China's economic growth, while also cutting pollution. It is currently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
It said the improvements would come through better research and development, clean coal technology, advanced nuclear energy and better transportation systems. Tax laws and regulations would also be changed to encourage energy efficiency.
World leaders are expected to hammer out preliminary guidelines on controlling emissions to help fight climate change at the Copenhagen summit, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 7.
Currently, Canada's goal is to lower greenhouse gases three per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, but at least two provinces will be heading to the summit to promote their own strategies to fight climate change.
Ontario has already told the federal government that plans to put a price on carbon should not "discriminate" against the province.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is demanding Ontario get to keep any financial gains that stem from a federal cap-and-trade program.
Quebec has a plan to reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.
Environmental organizations had hoped leaders would work in Copenhagen to come up with a newer environmental plan to replace the Kyoto Protocol, but at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Singapore earlier this month, the leaders said this likely wouldn't happen until sometime next year.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office said he would not attend the Copenhagen summit unless there is "a leaders' meeting with all major leaders."
A statement from the White House said that U.S. President Barack Obama would miss the final days of the summit, but that he believes a "meaningful agreement" is possible in Copenhagen.
On Wednesday, Obama said the U.S. plans on reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.
-With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press
