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China’s carbon intensity has decreased by 20 percent over the past five years, exceeding the country's goal of 17 percent, according to an official report released on Nov. 1.

The annual report, China’s Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change (2016), was published by the State Council Information Office to introduce China’s progress and achievement in coping with climate change since the 12th Five-Year Plan (2010-2015).

Xie Zhenhua, China’s special representative on climate change, reported the new statistic to media on Nov. 1. Energy in China has been optimized in the past five years, with the consumption of non-fossil fuels at 12 percent, exceeding the original target of 11.4 percent.

In addition to China’s effective control over greenhouse gas emissions, the country has also tackled climate change through the use of quotas. For instance, a quota of 120 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents was imposed on seven pilot carbon emissions trading markets, with an accumulated transaction volume of over 3.2 billion RMB, Xie added.

As a prominent developing country, China has not only set a good example for curbing carbon gas emissions, but also gone to great lengths to help other developing countries adapt to climate change. China has launched 10 low-carbon projects and 100 climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. The country has also announced plans to train 1,000 climate change experts and officials in developing countries.

The report was released just before the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Marrakech, Morocco between Nov. 7 and 18.