American and China Pledge to Study Energy-Efficient Building Practices

[Coventina]

Source: New York Times

BEIJING — The United States energy secretary, Steven Chu, concluded his first official visit to Beijing on Thursday with a memorandum of understanding with Chinese officials for joint studies on ways to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, the latest in a series of incremental steps to address China’s contribution to climate change.

Mr. Chu and the United States commerce secretary, Gary Locke, had said Wednesday that the main purpose of their trip was to start building a relationship with their Chinese counterparts, not to forge broad agreements on climate issues or energy policy.

Mr. Chu and Mr. Locke both said on Thursday afternoon that after speaking with senior Chinese officials, they were confident China shared the desire of the United States to address global warming. “We both recognize it’s a long journey,” Mr. Chu said.

China’s broad effort in areas like renewable energy make it more likely that an agreement can be reached in December at the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen, Mr. Chu said after visiting a coal-fired power plant that also produces central heat for homes.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/world/asia/17beijing.html