China softens stance on climate treaty

DURBAN, South Africa, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- China has indicated it might consider entering into a legally binding climate treaty after 2020.

"China is willing to shoulder responsibilities in line with its development and capability as long as the legal framework after 2020 will comply with the principles of 'common but differentiated' responsibilities," said Xie Zhenhua, China's top climate negotiator, said Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations-sponsored climate change conference in South Africa, China Daily newspaper reports.

Xie, who is vice-chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, laid out five preconditions of such a legal framework, including an extension of the Kyoto Protocol and initiatives by developed countries to help developing countries adapt to climate change.

Under the Kyoto Protocol all industrialized nations, with the exception of the United States, are bound to reduce emissions 5 percent from 1990 levels. The first commitment period of the treaty expires in 2012.

Xie described the renewal of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as "the most important issue of Durban."

While there are no new requirements, Xie said countries need to implement the commitments and legal documents that have already been agreed to.

China, the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, has "deeply suffered from climate change and fully understands the losses suffered by less-developed countries and small island states," Xie said.

But China's stance was perceived by some as a possible break from the alliance of emerging nations called BASIC -- Brazil, South Africa, India and China -- who say obligations to combat climate change are a responsibility of the developed world.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Xie said, however, the BASIC countries are united, adding that the Kyoto Protocol should be continued "and a second commitment period is a must," Press Trust of India reports.

Regarding climate change finance, Xie said that $30 billion should flow into the fast-track finance fund for the poorest nations and that a structure should be established for the long-term finance of $100 billion a year beginning in 2020.

What appears to be missing from China's conditions said Tim Gore, climate change policy adviser for Oxfam, is the urging of deeper emission reduction targets from developed countries before 2020.

"This flexibility from China is really encouraging, which shows China is going to be a partner in building a regime we need to fight climate change," he told China Daily. "But we can't let the United States and other developed countries off the hook regarding emission reduction targets."