China is considering inland sites for nuclear plants: special representative
Air pollution in China will be reduced by 42 percent if the country can double its energy utilization rate and the action plan the country proposed at the Paris climate talks will have a synergistic effect on the nation's fight against smog, a top official said Wednesday.
"Dealing with climate change should be based on China's current situation. China proposed goal for carbon emissions applies after 2020 and 2030, which is based on our situation. This is our responsibility and we should accomplish it," Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Representative on Climate Change at the Paris conference, told reporters at a press conference at the State Council.
Adopted by the 196 parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on December 12, the Paris Agreement sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 C above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 C.
China aims to hit its carbon emissions peak by around 2030, promising to make best efforts to realize the target early, according to the country's action plan on climate change.It also hopes to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 60 percent to 65 percent from the 2005 level by 2030. The share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy consumption will be increased to around 20 percent from 11.2 percent in 2014, and the forest stock volume is expected to add 4.5 billion cubic meters on the 2005 level by 2030.
China has issued its "Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan," which can also help solve climate change, Xie said, stressing that the priority should be to save and fully utilize energy, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
"If we can double our energy utilization rate, we may expect a better economy and less energy waste, which would also reduce air pollution by 42 percent," he said.
Meanwhile, Xie stressed China's need for nuclear power, proposing the safe development of nuclear energy, including the secure use and management of facilities, as well as finding safe locations. He said that China may not achieve the goal of increasing non-fossil fuel sources of energy to 20 percent by 2030 if the country is going to reduce the consumption of coal and thermal power and only rely on renewable energy, according to Xinhua.
"China has been working hard on these problems. China is also selecting inland sites for nuclear power plants, but requires further study. But the construction of nuclear power plants has been done in coastal areas, with the technology having been upgraded to third generation," Xie said.
"The Paris agreement addressed the funding issue, which was a concern among developing countries. The agreement engages all countries but also upheld the principle of differentiated responsibilities. It is a fair and considerate document," Xie was quoted by Xinhua.
