The United States on Tuesday welcomed China's submission of its climate change targets, saying the move is conducive to reaching a key global climate agreement at the end of this year in Paris.
China aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 60 percent to 65 percent from the 2005 level by 2030, according to China's intended nationally determined contributions (INDC), an action plan submitted to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
China's INDC submission "helps to provide continued momentum toward reaching a successful climate agreement in Paris," Brian Deese, a senior advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama, said in a statement.
Deese added that the submission follows from the target that China announced in the November 2014 Joint Announcement by Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The official also noted that countries accounting for nearly 70 percent of current global energy carbon-dioxide emissions have already announced and are taking action on post-2020 climate policies.
The U.S. encourages all major economies to submit their INDCs as soon as possible to "lay the groundwork for a successful outcome" at the 21st session of the Conference of Parties in Paris, Deese said.
