The European Union's Climate Commissioner has said that the 27 member organisation should cooperate more closely with China to slow down global warming.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Connie Hedegaard said that the European Union (EU) and China have been working together on the issue of climate change. "We have started a cooperation project with the Chinese authorities on emissions trading this year and it is a very good example of how we can work together on climate change," she said. The EU trading system caps 11,000 power stations responsible for 40 percent of its members' emissions, putting a price on carbon, and is similar to a structure China is setting up.
Hedegaard begins a visit to China on Wednesday, which will include stops in Zhenjiang and Shanghai to experience firsthand China's efforts to reduce emissions. In return, Hedegaard also said that she will share some of Europe's knowledge about clean technology to help tackle China's notorious smog issues.
"As a result of our stringent environmental regulations, we are leading in innovation and production of green technologies. We are ready to share our experience and our solutions with other countries such as China that are facing environmental challenges now," she said.
Hedegaard called such "green technologies" and climate action benefits for economic growth, citing Europe's green sector which created 180,000 jobs per year between 1999 and 2008- even at a time of economic downfall. She said, "green growth is about maintaining and improving our quality of life while ensuring pollution does not undermine economic growth... The green sector is one of the fastest growing industries with millions of new jobs being created. China and Europe can benefit enormously from that."
Hedegaard suggested that Europe and China should lead the way to motivate others to pursue an energetic climate change programme.
[Image via Flickr]
0 User Comments