China has surged past the US to become the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, beating even the most pessimistic predictions that it would take at least another year to outstrip the US. The findings, by a Dutch environmental agency that advises the Dutch Government, sharply raises the stakes as world leaders try to agree on a new climate change accord that includes both China and the US.
In its first action plan on climate change, released this month, China committed itself to improving energy efficiency but rejected mandatory emission cuts, as the US is demanding. China has resisted international demands that it cut its greenhouse gas emissions more rapidly because this could slow economic growth and spark social unrest. Beijing says global warming was caused by industrialised nations, and they should bear the brunt of fixing the problem. (Sydney Morning Herald)
