Mutual respect of development rights key to broadening consensus on climate issue (2)

During the 2006-2010 period, the aggregate energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) dropped 19.1 percent from that of 2005, which is equivalent to a reduction of 1.46 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This means China has accomplished its energy conservation goals listed in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010).

By 2015, the nation aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 16 percent, cut CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 17 percent and raise the proportion of non-fossil fuels in the overall primary energy mix to 11.4 percent.

The upcoming Doha conference is key for maintaining the basic legal framework of the Kyoto Protocol. A detailed agenda needs to be fixed in order to make definite arrangements for the implementation and enforcement of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and to ensure that the second commitment period is implemented on Jan. 1, 2013.

China's rapid economic development and its population base have made the country a big producer of greenhouse gases, but its per capita and historical emissions of greenhouse gases are far below those of developed nations. This is why "the common but differentiated responsibilities" theory that China adheres to in international climate talks makes sense.