China has urged developed countries to fulfill their funding pledges for fighting climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw.
Xie Zhenhua, the head of the Chinese delegation to the conference said in his speech that funding is the key for the success of the Warsaw conference. He was referring to the much-anticipated Green Climate Fund, which was agreed upon at the UN climate talks in Cancun in 2010.
Under the deal, developed countries should provide 100 billion U.S. dollars each year to poorer countries by 2020 to help them cope with carbon emissions and adapt to climate change. However, the promise has been largely unfulfilled.
Xie warned that without fulfilment of funding pledges, the multilateral mechanism will be challenged by severe crisis of trust. Meanwhile, reassuring the world of its determination, he reiterated China’s goal of emissions reduction.
"China will continue to step up efforts to tackle climate change. We will make sure we fulfil our commitment to reduce CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels," Xie said.
"We're now carrying out internal consultations and analysis aimed at enhancing this action. We will make positive contributions and continue unremitting efforts to address global climate change beyond 2020."