China to mull draft resolution on climate change

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-17 19:53

BEIJING: China's top legislature will consider a draft resolution on climate change and a draft amendment to its renewable energy law at a bimonthly session scheduled from August 24 to 27, according to the legislative body Monday.

A meeting of Chairmen of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, decided it on Monday.

The meeting, presided over by Chairman Wu Bangguo and attended by the secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee Li Jianguo and various vice chairpersons, set down the four-day session to begin next Monday.

Lawmakers will deliberate a State Council (Cabinet) work report on the work of handling climate change, according to the meeting.

The current three-year-old renewable energy law aims to promote the development of green energy, or non-fossil fuels, such as wind and solar power, hydroenergy, biomass, geothermal and ocean energy.

It also aims to ensure energy security and protect the environment.

Climate change and the use of renewable energy has topped the agenda of the top legislature and government.

The country issued a national plan on the development of renewable energy in September 2007, saying China will increase the portion of renewable resources to 15 percent in its total energy consumption in 2020 in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pursue sustainable economic growth.

In a State Council meeting on Wednesday, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, the cabinet reiterated its stance of sticking to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

The government would continue to work with other countries and play a constructive role for the success of the Copenhagen conference in December, according to a statement of the meeting.

China would also include its strategy against climate change into its economic and social development planning, it said.

In a short-term goal, the country will work to fulfil the target of reducing energy consumption for every 10,000 yuan (US1,470.6) of GDP by 20 percent by 2010, raising the ratio of renewable energy to 10 percent of the total, and achieving a forest coverage of 20 percent by then.

At the upcoming legislative session, lawmakers will deliberate a law regulating armed police for the second time, after a consideration in April.

They will also deliberate a draft resolution on the amendment of laws and consider for the third time a draft law relating to administration of government functions, which had its second reading in October 2007.

The legislators will also consider State Council reports on application of the national plan for economic and social development, as well as methods of development and structural economic adjustments.

Lawmakers will also examine a report presented by a NPC Standing Committee law enforcement team on the nationwide inspection of the implementation of the animal husbandry law.

Lawmakers will also examine qualifications of some NPC deputies and approve personnel changes.