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Australian Embassy, Lisbon
Press Release - 17 October 2006
Australia and China agree to new climate change projects
Australia and China will undertake 11 new joint projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, assist adaptation to climate change, improve coal mine safety and enhance climate change expertise in both countries
Speaking from Beijing, where he is leading Australia's largest ever renewable energy and energy efficiency business mission to China, Australia’s Minister for the Environment, Senator Ian Campbell, said the projects, valued at more than $4 million, would be worth much more to the environment.
"Four of the projects aim to reduce the methane gases escaping from China’s coal mines by capturing it and turning it into electricity. These projects will use new technology and techniques to reduce greenhouse emissions from China’s mining operations, while also improving Chinese coal mine safety," Senator Campbell said.
"Other projects will help our agricultural industries adapt to climate change. One project will research the performance of important crops when there are higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, while another will look at the link between our monsoon systems in rainfall and drying trends.
"These 11 projects build on the good work already being done under the Australia-China Climate Change Partnership in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and emissions monitoring.
The partnership is focused on practical actions that will make a real difference and benefit both countries by improving knowledge of climate change and helping to develop and deploy new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Senator Campbell and the Vice Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Jiang Weixin, also signed a 'Statement of Intent’, which provides the framework for future cooperation.
Senator Campbell said that climate change was a global challenge and requires global solutions - that's one of the reasons why Australia and China have been working together on climate change since 2003.
"In signing the Statement of Intent, we are building on the strong spirit of cooperation between our two countries on climate change and are laying the foundation for future cooperation,” he added.
Canberra
17 October 2006