Merkel Promotes Climate Change Agenda To Chinese Authorities

Germany has today announced that it believes China should be doing more to tackle climate change, on the first day of an official state visit to Beijing.

Chancellor Angela Merkel took time to urge Chinese authorities to clamp down on major polluters and emissions, in an attempt to help reverse the effects of global warming and bring the world’s fastest growing economy in line with presently developed nations.

Whilst her comments were taken on board, the Chinese government maintained that during a period of such rampant economic growth, monitoring carbon emissions was an impossible task.

The Chinese economy has seen astronomical economic growth and empowerment over the last decade or so, with analysts predicting it could soon become the world’s largest economy.

However, it has also been heavily criticised internationally for not doing enough to tackle climate change, with many of its major corporations amongst some of the worst polluters in the region.

China have taken some steps towards cutting carbon emissions without affecting growth, and has taken a hard line through banning certain sources of private funding to those it deems to be the worst offenders.

However China feels it should be allowed the same chance to grow and pollute that other developed nations have over the last few hundred years, and further, that any overly strenuous measures would hinder their chances of further economic growth over the coming decades.

The Chancellor will continue her state visit to China over the next few days, where climate change looks set to remain high on the agenda.

With China exempt from the Kyoto protocol, there is strictly no international obligation on the government to reduce carbon emissions over the short term.

German premier Ms Merkel is renowned internationally for her active diplomatic role in promoting climate change across the world.

Story link: Merkel Promotes Climate Change Agenda To Chinese Authorities