At the U.S.-China Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles in September of last year, Chinese officials pledged that their cities would reduce emissions and aim for even greater reduction targets than those set by national governments. China currently has a target to reduce emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, and to ensure that its greenhouse gas emissions peak around the same year. To meet these ambitious goals, significant progress needs to be made.

Fortunately, Chinese cities are already stepping up, with the help of the C40 network. Wuhan – a C40 member and the largest city in central China – recently hosted a Low Carbon Development Forum, which was attended by more than 300 representatives of the Chinese National Government, Chinese cities and a number of international guests. Featuring presentations on the low carbon development plans for the City of Wuhan, the forum also highlighted strategies from other C40 cities Stockholm and London and showcased the importance of transnational cooperation in tackling climate change in cities.

Available at: http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/04/chinese-cities-show-climate-leadership-on-a-global-stage/