China’s carbon emissions will start falling by 2050, its top climate change policymaker said, and the 1st time the world’s largest emitter has given such a time-frame. Whether China will agree to some kind of cap on its emissions is a critical question ahead of global climate change talks in December in Copenhagen. Beijing argues, as do most developing countries, that developed nations should take responsibility for cutting emissions first, since global warming originated with their industrialization. China and India have been resisting pressure from developed nations to agree to a target of reducing emissions by an overall average of 50% by 2050. Beijing’s view is this; that as China still needs to grow its economy to help its people escape poverty, it is too early to discuss emissions caps. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has said that with major technological support from developed nations, China could see its emissions peak between 2030 and 2040. Other Chinese experts say carbon output will keep rising until 2050 unless radical controls are adopted. No radical programs are under way at this time.
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