Letter from Chris Davies MEP (ALDE, UK), European Parliament rapporteur on the Commission's 'Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050', reporting on an exchange of views with a Chinese delegation headed by Xie Zhenhua, Minister for National Development and Reform facilitated by GLOBE International at the House of Commons in London on 24th October:

"Dear Fellow Parliamentarians,

Together with Satu Hassi MEP, Vice-Chair of GLOBE EU, some British MPs, and some German representatives, I met yesterday at the House of Commons for four hours of discussion with the Chinese 'climate change team' organised by Globe International.  The Chinese side was represented by Minister Xie Zhenhua (who did ALL the talking).  He was accompanied by Su Wei (the chief negotiator), Li Haiyan, Gao Jian, Li Gao and Zhang Qin.

Our discussions were good humoured and briefly passionate (when the Minister was defending China's record at Copenhagen).  Plans for further dialogue with GLOBE about detailed matters were confirmed.

Prior to our meeting the Minister had spent 2 hours in discussions with Chris Huhne, (former MEP and the UK's energy and climate change minister)

Given the nature of some of the debates we have in Europe I was struck by the fact that at no point did the Minister raise any doubts about the reality of climate change.  He was keen to emphasise what China was doing to combat it while emphasising that absolute reductions will be made only when China's stage of development permits it.

Some of us pushed him hard on the need for China, now that its per capita emissions are set to overtake those of Europe, to provide leadership and to offer at Durban more by way voluntary commitments.  We explained how difficult it was to persuade the EU to be more ambitious when our total emissions are dwarfed by those of China.  He sidestepped most of these questions - of course - while repeatedly emphasising the disparity in the average incomes of Chinese and European citizens.

The Minister described at some length the practical actions that China is taking to reduce its CO2 emissions.  You will know all these, but he made an impressive case, albeit that he admitted that the information about improvements in performance fed to him by local governments could not always be relied upon.

"We use regulations, we use taxation, we offer subsidies, we adjust public procurement policies. We have had successes and failures.  We are groping in the dark, trying to learn from other countries.  A dedicated climate change law is being considered.  I am head of the steering group - for my sins!"

"We are working on an energy plan for 2020-2050.  It will show the peak from which point our emissions will stop rising.  This will be earlier, in terms of the  average wealth of our citizens, than it was in the case of developed nations.  We have the advantage of being late comers."

"We want to avoid the mistakes made by developed nations.  We cannot tolerate the degree of pollution or the extent to which resources would be used.  We want to be greener.  It is essential for our well being.  We hope our emissions will peak soon."

On emissions trading " we are behind, but are working on it."

On the core issue of a global agreement he stressed the need for Kyoto 2 and acceptance of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.  "Sometimes we have the feeling that the EU just talks and doesn't actually do very much.  The EU should honour the pledges it has made and come up with the money it has promised.  Developing countries have made bigger commitments (relatively?) than developed countries."

"China did NOT wreck the Copenhagen talks.  We have been wronged.  We sacrificed our own interests to try and take the process forward."

On the inclusion of aviation in the ETS: "Your rules are prejudicial and discriminatory against developing nations.  By allocating quotas of free allowances based on current use they are biased in favour of existing airlines.  It's got to be fair."

On nuclear power:  "I am strongly in favour of nuclear but if there were to be an accident it would write off the future of the technology.  Safety is paramount."

On Carbon Capture and Storage: "It could play a valuable role but it is very expensive at present.  Costs need to be brought down.  We have some experimental plants but nothing that could really be described as a demonstration plant."

I hope these notes are of interest.

With regards,

Chris Davies MEP"