China Dialogue’s deputy editor Sam Geall talks to Phil Woolas, the UK’s minister of state for climate change, energy and sustainable development, about the climate change dialogue between China and the UK and recent progress in the fight against global warming:
SG: You have pointed to some areas where China can learn from the UK on climate change. But if we are really going to urge a sustainable model of growth in China – or anywhere in the developing world – don’t we need to show a serious intent to reduce our levels of consumption?
PW: We do, but what I think was really the most encouraging point that came out of meeting Du Ying [vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission] was that the goal of their policy is the same as ours, which is to decouple economic growth from emissions. I found China’s view on this progressive, and well ahead of many countries in the world. The UK’s economy has grown by 27% in the last 10 years, but our emissions have reduced by 7%. That shows the world – and ourselves – that you can have green economic growth. [Full Text]
