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Beijing Review Exclusive
Special> UN Climate Change Conference> Beijing Review Exclusive
UPDATED: November 19, 2013 Web Exclusive
Walking to Work
California outperforms other states in reducing carbon emissions
By Liu Yunyun
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"Of all the states in the U.S., California makes the best efforts to deal with climate change," said Jiang Zhaoli, a director of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, on the sidelines of the 19th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as the UNFCCC, in Warsaw, Poland.

At an event held at the China Pavilion on November 18, Jiang said that the carbon trading system used in California is one of the most successful models in the world, and that China looks forward to cooperating with the Environmental Protection Agency of California

Unlike the U.S. federal government, which is still struggling to pass a comprehensive bill to tackle climate change, Matthew Rodriquez, California Secretary for Environmental Protection, said that California is very concerned about climate change, "because we are already seeing the effects of climate change in California. Our average temperature has gone up by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit over our recorded history."

However, Rodriquez said he is also deeply impressed by the Chinese Government's efficiency in launching carbon trade systems. "While it takes California six years to get started, it's taking Chinese provinces and government six months to get started. That's a remarkable achievement," said Rodriquez.

As for what lessons can China draw from California, Rodriquez said, "While in China many people are interested in having a car, in California, we are encouraging more people to walk, to use their bicycles, to live close to where they work, so that we use less energy on a daily basis."

He said California's goal is to reduce emissions by 18 million metric tons between now and 2020, which means emissions in California will fall back to the levels recorded in the 1990s.

After participating in a low carbon seminar held by the Chinese delegation to Warsaw, Rodriquez said he was impressed by what he heard from the seminar and will take that message back to the people in California to reassure them that China is serious about taking on these issues and that China has come up with some impressive programs.

(Reporting from Warsaw, Poland)



 
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