Grenada hopes to work with China to tackle climate change, visiting Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas said in Beijing on Tuesday.
"As developing countries, we have to find ways to work cooperatively among ourselves ... to address the scale of the problem that we face," Thomas said in a speech at the China Foreign Affairs University.
"I must say that I have been impressed by the efforts taken by your (Chinese) government in addressing climate change," Thomas said.
Thomas said he had noted the provisions of China's national climate change program and the country's efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts included lowering energy intensity, doubling the share of electricity produced from renewable sources, closure of inefficient industrial facilities and tougher efficiency standards for buildings and appliances.
Responding to climate change required a global effort, said Thomas, adding that this would require unprecedented cooperation by all countries in terms of finance, technology transfer and support for capacity building in developing countries.
He urged developed countries to take the lead in reducing emissions and providing financial and technological support to developing countries.
"It will be necessary for all countries to contribute in line with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, with the developed countries leading the way," he said.
Thomas said he expected to see the commitment of the international community at the Copenhagen meeting and a positive result from that event. A United Nations meeting on climate change is to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of this year.
Thomas came to China for an official visit, scheduled for 15 to 21, at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao.
(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2009)
