The problem is the same, but getting the world to agree on a solution is proving to be a challenge.

• China and the United States emit more greenhouse gases than any other nations in the world, but during the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen last December, the two nations argued over who should carry more responsibility for tackling the problem.
• After a week of similar rich-country/poor-country conflicts, Copenhagen ended without any agreement on how to address the global greenhouse gas problem. This time, China is hosting the conference and the goals are a little different: Instead of a global agreement, participants may seek smaller, more manageable deals such as corporate carbon-cutting programs.
• The Copenhagen conference made it clear that China, though still a developing nation, is going to be front and center in the climate change debate. In addition to being the world’s biggest producer of greenhouse gases, China is also the world’s biggest investor in renewable energy sources.

Facts & Figures

• China’s per-capita GDP is $3,700 per year; the per capita GDP in the U.S. is $46,000.
• Coal accounts for 80% of China’s energy production.
• Developed nations pledged $30 billion in Copenhagen to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions, nearly all of which has been fulfilled.

Best Quote

“China came to understand that given the scale of the country, there’s simply no way it can hide – you’re either the leader or you will be blamed. By hosting this meeting, it sends a strong signal that China is thinking about how to play a more proactive role on the international stage.” – Yang Ailun, Greenpeace China’s Head of Climate and Energy

Tags: china, climate change, Copenhagen