China worse polluter than previously thought, U.S. study finds

PARIS – China’s greenhouse gas emissions have been grossly underestimated, according to a new study released on the eve of a U.S.-led conference here this week involving major emitters seeking ways to deal with climate change.

The University of California study, citing previously unavailable evidence, said China probably passed the U.S. to become the world’s top emitter in 2006.

The report, to be published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, estimates that China’s emissions will increase by anywhere from 600 million to 1.2 billon tonnes of carbon between 2000 to 2010.

That’s far higher than previously believed and dwarfs by between five- and 10-fold the estimated 116 million tonnes reduced through efforts made by the countries that ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

Canwest News Service