China is aiming to address climate change through further renewable energy projects.

China, under its 12th Five Year Plan, has set a new 10-point agenda under its national technology thrust that pays equal attention to mitigation and adaptation measures.

In its new plans under its technology program, China is aiming to address climate change through further renewable energy projects, energy storage and grid connection to match its energy demand.

The new set of targets will also strengthen its energy-saving technologies for its buildings to minimize their environmental impact.

China is also paying attention to its urban areas. There will be an energy supply and end-use energy efficiency technology for cities with a view to reducing emissions. The aim is to significantly lower the carbon footprint of the urban areas, which accounts for a large share of the country's energy consumption.

Other mitigation measures to be implemented by 2015 include high-efficiency power generation;; natural gas exploration and development; new energy automobiles and low-carbon fuel alternatives; waste energy and heat in the production process of iron and steel, chemical and building materials; carbon sinks in agriculture and forestry; and carbon capture and storage.

Currently, China is one of the key players in developing clean energy projects, particularly solar and wind power schemes. In the 2012 second quarter report on clean energy investments, it leads other countries in financing renewable energy projects, with a 24 percent increase from the previous quarter.

Recently, it was also recognized as the top scoring country in energy efficiency efforts for buildings by the International Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which ranked the global major economies in terms of their energy efficiency practices.

Ten adaptation technologies

Along with these mitigation targets, the Chinese government also identified 10 adaptation technologies in its new agenda.

China will establish a new scheme that will predict and deliver warnings about approaching weather events. This will allow the country to set preventive actions and avoid major damages.

An efficient water utilization and allocation technology will also be developed for the regions in the country that experience drought and scarce supply.

Moreover, a climate change impact and risk assessment system will be created, which will examine the country's undertakings, whether they lessen or worsen climate change.

Other adaptation initiatives cover technologies such as drought-resistant and temperature-resistant plant species selection and cultivation, and pest-prevention and control; typical climate-sensitive ecosystem preservation; human health integrated adaptation; typical coastal land adaptation; city lifeline engineering safety guarantee in response to extreme weather events; standards and regulation amendment of some key sectors in adaptation to climate change; and man-controlled weather manipulation.

"The list provides clear guidance to technology research and development and innovation in China, towards tackling climate change," said Changhua Wu, Greater China director at clean technology organization The Climate Group.

However, the realization of these goals relies on close partnerships between government and business, as well as among countries in the global community, he added.

"Tackling climate change is a game of we-are-all-in-it-together." (C. Dominguez)