Shun Empty Slogans Ahead Of Climate Talks: Beijing

Rich countries must move on from "empty slogans" when it comes to climate change and make progress in meeting funding commitments, a Beijing official said on Thursday ahead of a new round of global climate talks in Egypt next month.

"It is important to put forward targets, but it is equally important, even more important, to turn targets into actions," said Li Gao, head of the climate change office at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The latest round of global climate talks are set to begin in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheik on November 6, and Li told a media briefing in Beijing that countries need to show "real ambition" at the meeting, known as Cop27.

Rich countries pledged in 2009 to provide US$100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries adapt to climate change, and Li said the delay in doing so has "seriously hindered" progress and damaged "mutual trust".

"We urge developed countries to fulfil their annual funding commitments of US$100 billion as soon as possible, instead of merely submitting a report to Cop27 making excuses for the delay," he said.

Li also described European plans to impose carbon tariffs on exports from China and elsewhere as "morally untenable".

"We oppose any form of trade or technological barrier established in the name of climate change," he said. (Reuters)