By John Heilprin Associated Press Writer — September 21, 2009
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. climate chief says China is poised to join the European Union in claiming "front-runner" status among nations battling climate change.
Yvo de Boer told The Associated Press that China is leaping ahead of the United States with domestic plans for more energy efficiency, renewable sources of power, cuts in vehicle pollution and closures of dirty plants.
Chinese President Hu Jintao will announce new plans to fight global warming at a U.N. summit on climate change on Tuesday.
De Boer said he also was encouraged by Japan's new goal of a 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The EU has promised to cut its emissions by 20 percent by 2020, but will cut up to 30 percent if other rich countries follow suit.