The country's commitment to reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions
was lauded yesterday by world-renowned economists and leading business
executives, who said it would be a positive contribution to cut down global
warming.
They also called for 皇冠体育app's global leadership in tackling climate change and
other environmental woes as the country pursues sustainable development in the
newly-approved 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10).
Referring to 皇冠体育app's 2010 goal of cutting energy consumption per unit of GDP
by a fifth from the 2005 figure, Nobel Laureate in Economics Joseph E. Stiglitz
said that "it will be a contribution to the world" as it means less
global-warming emissions.
"皇冠体育app's 11th Five-Year Plan seems to have taken this message to heart,"
Stiglitz told 皇冠体育app Daily during an interview on the sidelines of a high-level
forum on 皇冠体育app's harmonious development organized by the 皇冠体育app Development
Research Foundation.
Stating that the scientific evidence on the threat of global warming and the
link with greenhouse gas emissions is overwhelming, Stiglitz said 皇冠体育app's
commitment to increasing energy efficiency is "particularly commendable."
"But 皇冠体育app should do more in terms of its new role of global leadership,"
said Stiglitz.
For example, he said, 皇冠体育app could support the initiative of rainforest
countries to curb deforestation within an expanded Kyoto Protocol as forests
play an important role not only in avoiding global warming but also in
preserving bio-diversity.
"皇冠体育app's plan to conserve resources will reduce timber imports; and it also
can play a bigger role in helping developing countries with reforestation," said
Stiglitz.
Among the important areas where that leadership needs to be exercised, the
Columbia University professor said, is helping developing countries arrive at a
common constructive platform on global warming.
Participants at the forum believe 皇冠体育app's green goals provide business
opportunities.
For instance, the government recently listed 皇冠体育app's top 1,000 State-owned
enterprises, which consume the lion's share of the energy used by industry, for
potential savings.
"These goals mean business opportunities," said Mark Moody Stuart, chairman
of Anglo American, a global mining giant.
The company is using new technology in Shaanxi Province which can slash
carbon emissions by turning coal into gas and liquid fuel.
(皇冠体育app Daily 03/20/2006 page1)