from Marketwatch:
China is taking a tough line ahead of key climate talks next month, demanding heavy cuts for other, richer nations and payouts to itself, according to a Japanese news report Friday.
The Nikkei report cited official Chinese statements Thursday calling on wealthier countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2020 from 1990 levels, and help pay for reduction schemes in poor countries, according to a published report.
China also repeated its position that developing countries -- including itself -- should only curb their emissions on a voluntary basis, and then only if the curbs "accord with their national situations."
Formal climate-change negotiations are slated to begin on June 1 in Bonn, Germany.
China's argument that developed countries should be legally required to give at least between 0.5% and 1% of their annual economic worth to help poorer countries curb greenhouse gas emissions isn't likely to be warmly received by the U.S. and European Union, the report noted, citing analysts as saying the position may just be posturing ahead of the negotiations.
The Chinese government has estimated it would need to spend the equivalent of $146 billion per year to curb its greenhouse gas emissions, the report said.
Also:
Members of the House Energy Committee on Thursday approved a sweeping bill aimed at arresting climate change, the first step in a potentially enormous re-ordering of U.S. energy policy.
By a vote of 33 to 25, members approved language cutting carbon emissions by more than 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 through a "cap-and-trade" system. The bill would also boost use of renewable energy and set new targets for energy-efficient buildings.
