Despite its massive levels of growth, China succeeded in reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP in the third quarter last year. Internally the government has committed to a 4% cut each year for a total of 20% cut in energy intensity of its economy by 2010.

BZE campaigner Matthew Wright said: "This is Australia's shame. We have been a major contributor along with the bulk of developed countries to climate change, and while we still emit at the highest per capita rate of emissions in the world, we point the finger at China to shirk our responsibility. China's population is huge, yet while achieving massive growth rates, have managed to increase the energy efficiency of their economy."

Adrian Whitehead, from BZE, asked the question, "If China can increase energy efficiency of their economy while growing at a rate far beyond Australia's growth rate, then what excuse is left for a country like Australia to continue down the path of planet destruction through polluting industries such as coal, nuclear and gas with no attention being paid to reducing the need for power on the demand side through energy efficiency measures."

"We are one of the rich countries and can afford to lead the way with wind power and solar thermal plants backed up by existing gas and hydro, which is where the Chinese government wants to focus their future energy sector expansion." We also have an opportunity to reduce overall consumption through energy efficiency measures, which will allow us to reduce carbon emissions through the decommissioning of surplus coal-fired generating capacity.

"John Howard called the Labor party 'climate change fanatics', but the Labor party's policies are not much different to the Liberal's at the moment. It's all about maintaining the status quo in the resources sector, burning and exporting more coal, with a little uranium on the side," said Matthew Wright.

"One of the major parties will have to shake off their addiction to old fossil fuel industries and companies in order to deliver the change that the public is demanding or a new political paradigm may be established. As public awareness grows each day, these demands will become louder and louder to become something that cannot be ignored."

"What's more, while China has committed to cutting out coal, investing in solar and wind research and having already increased energy efficiency across their economy, the Australian government just wants us to sell China more coal," said Mr Wright.

Energy efficiency across all sectors, along with closing all coal power plants, installing massive wind power and solar, upgraded grid, advanced grid management, smart meters and other measures, is the only solution to our polluting energy sector which accounts for 55% of our greenhouse gas emissions (including fugitive emissions).

China sets sights on clean energy

China is set on curbing fossil fuels

Global warming results in extreme weather events in China

Now China gets serious on climate change

For comment ring:
Adrian Whitehead - 0403 735 118
Matthew Wright ­ 0421 616 733

www.beyondzeroemissions.org

Beyond Zero Emissions is an independent Zero Emission Minus Climate Change campaign.