Minister of Development and Environment Mr. Erik Solheim conducted climate talks in Beijing November 27th

Solheim also met with the Chinese Climate Ambassador Mr. Yu Qingtai. The discussions were coloured by the newly released 2020 Chinese climate targets of a 40-45% reduction in carbon intensity, with reference to 2005.

Both Minister Zhou and Ambassador Yu underscored the major effort these targets imply, and they expressed disappointment with regard to the lack of international recognition for these steps just taken. Erik Solheim expressed his acknowledgment to the importance of these steps and their significance in the run up to the Copenhagen Summit next week, while at the same time pointing to how the emission targets now announced by the US, China and other countries are insufficient relative to the cuts needed in order to prevent a global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius.

 

Minister Solheim also visited Beijing Cement Plant where a Norwegian funded environmental project run by SINTEF takes place. By joining hazardous waste and coal in production, the technology at the same time reduces the use of coal and reduces CO2 emissions, as well as it burns and destroy hazardous waste. The project hence contributes to solving two environmental problems in one process, and it provides the factory with increased revenues from destructing hazardous waste and reducing the need for coal. Due to the fact that developing countries with strong growth have large cement production, this specific method of co-burning coal and waste has a large potential in many countries as a way to both reduce emissions and safely dispose of hazardous waste.

 

 

 Erik Solheim also took part in the signing ceremony of an agreement on cooperation between Det Norske Veritas and China Health Economics Institute. DNV Sustainability Centre in Beijing and CHEI will jointly conduct a research project that will contribute to government strategies on health reform and hospital management.