China could overtake the US this year as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, a leading international energy group has said.
The International Energy Agency had predicted China’s carbon dioxide emissions would pass the US by 2010.
But IEA chief economist Fatih Birol said the rate of China’s economic growth this year defied expectations.
His comments come days after a Chinese government report warned of the impact of climate change on the country.
The report, compiled by several government bodies, said that higher temperatures would lead to worsening droughts, spreading deserts and reduced water supplies.
But it stopped short of recommending cuts in greenhouse gas output and risking the country’s economic growth.
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