China to become world leader in clean energy: Research

A report commissioned by The Climate Institute dispelled myths that China was not taking action towards a greener economy.

It revealed that not only does China have the largest installed capacity of wind-power in the world, it is also about to run a pilot of the world's second-largest Emissions Trading Scheme.

Climate Institute's CEO, John Connor, said China was now one of the biggest investors in clean energy and predicted that it would become a clean energy superpower.

“They are now moving with some seven emissions trading pilot schemes to a scheme which is about twice the size of Australia’s scheme and about the second largest in the world,” said Connor.

According to Mr Connor, China’s move towards a pilot Emissions Trading Scheme was catalysing change in neighbouring countries.

“We’ve seen South Korea pass legislation for an emissions trading scheme and now Vietnam and Thailand are looking to do so,” he said. “I think what China does is already having some impact on its region and that will continue to be the case.”

Connor noted that China is putting in place controls on emissions amongst a range of other policies, not just because they’re concerned about the climate impacts but they also see the economic opportunities that this century will be one, which does benefit those that actually have cleaner energy sources.

According to Mr Connor, China’s move towards a pilot Emissions Trading Scheme was catalysing change in neighbouring countries.

“We’ve seen South Korea pass legislation for an emissions trading scheme and now Vietnam and Thailand are looking to do so,” he said. “I think what China does is already having some impact on its region and that will continue to be the case.”

He added that as a major manufacturer of solar panels and wind turbines, China would also have more export opportunities.

For more.