China is the world's leading producer of energy from renewable resources and is on the way to overtaking developed countries in creating clean technologies, says a Climate Group report.
The report, published on Friday, says China's "clean revolution", shows that supportive government policies investing billions of dollars in energy efficiency and renewable energy are driving huge levels of innovation in China.
Despite its coal-dependent economy, China has become a world leader in the manufacture of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology - its six biggest solar companies have a combined value of more than $15 billion, the Climate Group says. Last year, China produced about 820 megawatts of solar PV, second only to Japan.
The Climate Group is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing business and government leadership on climate change. It is based in the UK, the USA, Australia, China and India, and operates internationally.
China already leads the world in terms of installed renewable capacity at 152 gigawatts. Next year, it will become the world's leading exporter of wind turbines too. Plus, it is highly competitive in solar water heaters, energy efficient home appliances and rechargeable batteries.
"For too long, many governments, businesses and individuals have been wary of committing to action on climate change because they perceive that China (one of the largest emitters) is doing little to address the issue," said Steve Howard, chief executive of the Climate Group.
"But the reality is that China's government is beginning to unleash a low-carbon dragon which will power its future growth, development and energy security objectives."
The report says that investment in renewable energy in China, about $12 billion last year, is almost level with world leader Germany as a percentage of GDP.
The Climate Group highlights China's fuel efficiency standards for cars, too, which are 40 percent higher than those in the US.
Biofuel production is also on the rise: by using marginal land that is half the size of the UK, China is already the world's third largest producer of ethanol.
Questions:
1. A Climate Group report has revealed that China is the world's leading producer of what?
2. What does the report suggest is driving huge levels of innovation in China?
3. What was the comparison given regarding car fuel use between the US and China?
Answers:
1. Energy from renewable sources .
2. Supportive government policies investing billions of dollars in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
3. China's fuel efficiency standards for cars are 40 percent higher than those in the US.
（英語點津 Helen 編輯）
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
