Lima Climate Change Conference: Compromise Limits Achievements
Win-win Results
China has been flexible but firm in negotiations, upholding its principles and seeking win-win results. China is also proactive in both uniting developing countries and holding dialogues with developed countries. In trying to find common ground it promotes the entire process of climate change negotiations.
China strengthens cooperation on climate change with such developing countries as India, Brazil, and South Africa under the BASIC and Group of 77 frameworks, endeavoring to win benefits for developing countries amid the global drive, according to Gao Feng. China also makes moves towards establishing bilateral negotiation mechanisms on climate change with such developed economies as the U.S., EU, U.K., Germany, and Australia, through regular communications on their policies and negotiation stands on climate change. China at the same time strengthens pragmatic cooperation with these nations in such fields as clean energy, energy-conserving buildings, electric cars, and green transport.
China has demonstrated wisdom as regards international cooperation on climate change, since developing countries’ needs cannot be met and negotiations cannot proceed without the understanding and support of the developed world. The China-U.S. joint declaration on climate change of November 12, 2014 serves as an excellent example of China’s quest for win-win cooperation with developed countries.
The document clearly states the two countries’ emissions reduction targets after 2020, and sets out projected time- tables. This will substantially contribute to global efforts towards greenhouse gas reduction, and serve as an example to other countries.
During the Lima conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged China’s endeavors and achievements in tackling climate change. He stated that the UN would count on China’s leadership in climate change negotiations, and that this would pave the way towards the 2015 world agreement on climate change.
Its efforts to rally developed countries’ support for the developing world’s fight against climate change notwithstanding, China clearly states that it will not compete with fellow developing nations for such support. In striking contrast to developed countries that often fail to honor their generous promises to deal with climate change, China provides munificent financial aid and technical expertise to other developing countries, and shares with them its experience in this regard.
China’s cumulative financial support to developing countries since 2011, earmarked to help them improve their ability to tackle climate change, totals RMB 270 million. The country has trained almost 2,000 officials and technicians from the developing world in this field.
During the UN Climate Summit held in September, 2014, China committed to doubling its financial contribution, to setting up a fund for South-South cooperation on climate change, and to donating US $6 million in support of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s promotion of cooperation between developing countries in tackling climate change.
China also helps the global drive against climate change on other international occasions, such as APEC and the G20. Examples include the Silk Road Fund, which China established, as well as the BRICS bank and China-Africa Development Fund, in which China participates. All involve climate change projects.
China’s efforts in this field have won international applause. Costa Rica’s Minister of Environment and Energy Edgar Gutierrez Espeleta stated on December 9 that China sets a good example to the world in its efforts to tackle climate change, including its generous provision of financial aid to other developing countries, and laying down a carbon dioxide emissions control schedule.
Indubitably a Developing Country
During the Lima conference, certain foreign media questioned whether or not China could still be classified as a developing country. They called on this country, which has made such considerable contributions, to take even more actions beyond its current development and capability.
Admittedly, China has undergone dramatic changes since its first participation in climate change negotiations. Its GDP was RMB 2.69 trillion in 1992, when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro. That figure has skyrocketed around 20-fold over the last 22 years to reach RMB 56 trillion in 2013. In the meantime, China’s economic aggregate has leapt from the 10th to second in the world.
These figures are heartening. The Chinese people now have the capacity to purchase deluxe cars and travel the world. Bearing the laurels as the world’s biggest trading nation with the largest foreign exchange reserves, however, could create a mistaken impression of China’s situation as a whole.
