Climate change pledges are binding

China's pledge to increase its non-fossil fuel share of all energy consumption to around 20 percent by 2030 as part of the joint-announcement with the United States with regard to climate change, will be legally binding following approval by the National People's Congress, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission said on Friday.

President Xi Jinping also announced that China expects carbon dioxide emissions to peak around 2030, with the intention of trying to peak early. This will also be legally binding after approval, Xie Zhenhua said.

Together, the US and China account for more than 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and the agreement sent a strong signal that the world's largest economies are willing to work together on climate change, said Xie.

He said the Sino-US proposal paves the way for the Lima Climate Change Conference in Peru next month and the conference in Paris next year when the United Nations calls for all nations to release detailed plans to limit global warming.

"China's climate goals for 2020 have been approved by the National People's Congress, and they are legally binding. The targets after 2020 should be implemented in the upcoming five-year plan," Xie said.

Meanwhile, Xie said the emission of carbon dioxide is closely related to a country's economic growth, and energy and industrial structures, which involves some uncertainties. China has for this reason raised the concept of "around 20 percent", which indicates it takes the proposal seriously and responsibly.

As part of combating climate change, the wider use of alternative energy and energy-saving measures in appliances have been put into action in Tianjin eco-city, a Sino-Singapore cooperation project.

The eco-city was listed by the State Council last month as the first such demonstration area of state-level green development.

"The plan reflects China's strong determination in enhancing environmental protection and saving energy," Xie said.

Located in the Tianjin Binhai New Area, all buildings feature green building materials, renewable energy, recyclable water, natural light and segregated rubbish collection.

By the end of 2020, the eco-city is expected to be a green neighborhood with city functions in an area of 30 square kilometers and a population of 350,000.