A thermal power plant in China discharge vapor and carbon dioxide through two chimneys on March, 2012. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

China has recently submitted a post-2020 climate change pledge to the United Nations, promising that compared with 2005, China will cut its CO2 output per unit of GDP by between 60 and 65 percent by 2030.

Zou Ji, the deputy director at the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, is one of the designers behind the action plan.

He says the goal is a little bit ambitious, but not out of reach.

"If our GDP growth rate can be maintained around 7 percent in 2030, our GDP per capita will climb to 14,000 to 15,000 US dollars. In that case, peak emissions could be reached. According to our calculation, by that time, China will produce 8 to 9 tons of carbon dioxide per person, which is lower than America and Europe when they hit their peaks."

Zou says, in terms of income levels and emission at the peak year, China is more aggressive compared with many developed countries.

Moreover, China is now actively working on research and production of new energy.

Last year, the International Renewable Energy Agency published a report, predicting that China will expand its renewable energy consumption share from 13% to 26% by 2030; then become the largest renewable energy user around the world.

Though some scholars worry that the assumption is over optimistic, Adnan Amin, head of the organization, emphasizes that China's potential should not be underrated.

"Many people think that's ambitious, but when we look at the past, in terms of the learning curve in China, the reduction in the cost of technology, the fact that you have more and more skilled people who are capable of dealing with renewable energy installation and investment, we believe every year we have underestimated the potential for renewable energy."

According to economist Ma Jiantang, energy structure optimization has already produced results.

"In 2000, the energy consumption share of coal and oil was respectively 68.5% and 22%. Last year, their shares slumped evidently. There are fewer coal-fired thermal power plants but more power stations generating clean energy, such as hydro power, nuclear power, and wind and solar energy."

China has also worked with the international community, taking responsibilities. Last November, the presidents of both China and the United States released a joint announcement on climate change.

John Podesta, Obama's former counselor on climate change and energy policy, speaks highly of the bilateral cooperation.

"Our two countries count for one third of the global GDP. They act as the engine of the global economy, so when we each set our countries on the course to a clean energy future, we unlock vast opportunities for national and global economic growth. "

As climate change affects all on the planet, Chinese scientists and decision makers are giving their all to grapple the issue for coming generations.