Alexander Pan, March 2, 2010
Beijing, China
China sent a clear message to the world community last week that it will not put a fixed cap on its green house gas emissions. Indicating that while China will do what it can to significantly reduce its environmental impact, it will continue to prioritize economic growth over environmental conservation.
China top climate change negotiator at the climate change talks in Copenhagen Su Wei, said that China “could not and should not” place an upper limit on its green house gas emissions. But rather should focus on reducing its green house gas emissions per unit of GDP in order to become a more environmentally efficient economy.
Experts claim that a fixed cap on green house gas emissions is unrealistic and unfair for China claiming that China is still a developing economy and it not yet fully industrialized thus it needs to look after the welfare of its people and the eradication of poverty before it can consider limiting economic growth in favor of environmental conservation.
This claim is consistent with historical evidence and an economic theory know as the “Environmental Kuznets Crve” in which countries, as they begin to industrialize, do so with little to no regard for the environment; however, as these countries reach a certain point of development they begin to place a greater importance on minimizing their environmental impact.
While China may not be willing to cap greenhouse gas emissions, it appears that China is rapidly approaching, if not already past the apex of this environmental kuznets curve and will imminently begin growing more environmentally conscious.
Major indications such as China’s new five year plan promises that China will make major strides in improving the environmental efficiency of its economy
While many developed nations would rather see a fixed cap put in place, many developing nations sympathize and agree with China’s Green Growth strategy arguing that it is much easier for industrialized and developed nations to cap their emissions than it is for developing nations whose primary industry is int he emissions intensive manufacturing sector.
Edward Lehman managing director of Lehman, Lee and Xu said that＂This is a perfect example of the west’s lack of understanding for the problems and issues faced by the Chinese economy. While China clearly must work to become a ‘greener’ economy, it can not do so at the expense of economic growth. We here at Lehman Lee and Xu look forward to offering our experience and knowledge of Chinese economy to our clients, and helping them to navigate the myriad of new regulations that will undoubtedly accompany China’green growth plan”
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