BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Critics should stop accusing China of instigating merely superficial greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Unlike some developed nations that evade responsibility and just talk the talk, China has been taking real actions to slow global warming.
As one of the world's largest emitters and its second-largest economy, China's commitment to curbing emissions has come into focus once again as UN climate talks are gathering nations in Doha, Qatar, to try to reach a consensus on how to move forward with climate targets.
China is resolute in reducing emissions as shouldering its due responsibility in the matter is not only a commitment to the world but also a must for its own development.
Chinese authorities have long realized a green and low-carbon path will be the only choice for the nation's sustainable development, given its large population, limited resources and vulnerable environment.
For this reason, China has been striving to avoid the strategy of many Western countries that opted to "pollute first and clean up later" during their early stage of industrialization.
Although China's emissions are rising and may continue to rise until its urbanization peaks, the country has policies in place to limit emissions and is taking steps to boost its renewable energy industries, force power generators to clean up their coal plants and use more clean energy.
China has made a commitment to cut its carbon intensity -- the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of GDP -- by 40 to 45 percent from the level of 2005 by 2020.
Despite its dependence on coal, the country now has one of the world's leading green industries.
Last year, China more than doubled its solar power generating capacity and increased wind and hydropower capacities. Its current five-year plan includes ambitions to increase the proportion of energy from non-fossil fuels to 11.4 percent by 2015.
Nutritious lunch provided in Taipei's elementary school
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