China is on track to cut its carbon intensity by 49% below 2005 levels by 2020, its special representative on climate change said Wednesday, far surpassing the country’s self-imposed 40-45% target.

Xie Zhenhua told the Boao Forum that China would not only exceed its Copenhagen pledge on carbon intensity, it would also increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy mix to 15% in 2020, up from current levels of 12%, China Daily reported.

The comments underline expectations that the world’s biggest-emitting nation will meet its Paris targets years ahead of schedule.

At the UN climate conference in the French capital in December, China committed to cutting the carbon intensity of its economy 60-65% below 2005 levels by 2030.

It also aims to peak its GHG emissions by the end of next decade.

Earlier this month, Xie dismissed a Grantham Research Institute report suggesting China’s emissions may have already peaked.

By Stian Reklev – stian@carbon-pulse.com

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