China not to take on binding emissions reduction targets

China, the world's largest emitter of green house gases, today said it would not take on binding emissions reduction targets at Durban climate talks next week, as it emphasised that the Kyoto Protocol must be adhered to.

Claiming major success in controlling carbon emissions, China's Chief Climate Negotiator Xie Zhenhua said his country would demand the second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol at the 10-day conference beginning on November 28.

The Kyoto Protocol is an important and legally-binding multi-lateral agreement and must be adhered to in the upcoming climate talks, he said, adding that it reflects "common but differentiated responsibilities," and the commitment to the protocol is the foundation of political trust.

"The emission-reduction plan for developed countries in the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol should be made clear as soon as possible," Xie said.

The first commitment period expires at the end of 2012.

China was "willing to take on commitments that are appropriate to our stage of development," he said.

Xie was speaking after releasing a white paper titled 'China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change'.

"China's energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped 19.1 per cent from that of 2005 accumulatively, which is equivalent to a reduction of 1.46 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions," the white paper said.

US President Barack Obama had recently asked emerging economies including India and China to assume greater responsibility in finding ways to reduce carbon emissions, saying they are "part of the bargain".

"It doesn't mean that they have to do exactly what we do, but in terms of per capita carbon emissions they've got a long way to go to catch up to us," Obama had in Australia.