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Australian Consulate-General, Guangzhou
Media Release PD28/07 Date: 11 September 2007
Australia and China - Climate Change and Energy Agenda
Australia and China have agreed to push forward with their joint efforts on climate change, energy and the environment - with Australia contributing $20 million to joint work on clean coal technologies.
Announcing the joint commitment last week at the APEC leaders’ meeting in Sydney, Australia’s Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, said that he and China’s President, Mr. Hu Jintao, had agreed on the importance of addressing climate change and energy, consistent with their respective country’s economic growth aspirations.
“China's remarkable economic development, especially since APEC was founded, has brought with it increased influence and responsibilities in regional and global affairs, including in the evolving international climate change framework. “This is to be welcomed,” Mr. Howard said.
“Australia and China have reaffirmed our commitments to the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, and have agreed to continue developing low-emissions energy technologies. “This underscores China's growing need for cleaner forms of power generation.”
The Prime Minister said that Australia would commit a further $20 million to joint work on clean coal technologies.
“Australia has already funded a carbon capture project in Beijing, and a combined cycle demonstration power plant in Australia. “This [commitment] recognises Australia’s role as a reliable and responsible major energy supplier, and China's continued dependence on coal, alongside other energy sources, for its economic development,” he said.
Both leaders also agreed to continue other work on climate change, particularly coal mine methane recovery, energy efficiency, climate change science and agriculture.
“We have agreed on the role that the safe and secure use of nuclear power can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other energy sources such as geothermal and solar thermal energy,” Mr. Howard said.
He said Australia and China had noted the potentially large role which forestry industries could play in addressing climate change.
“Australia and China are both strong supporters of the Global Initiative on Forests and Climate. “Australia strongly supports China's proposal for an Asia-Pacific Network on Sustainable Forest Rehabilitation and Sustainable Management.
“I look forward to China's support for a strong APEC Leaders' declaration on climate change, energy security and clean development,” Mr. Howard said.
For further information, contact Ellen Chen, Public Affairs Officer on（020）3814 0183.