The rise of China is gaining more momentum thanks to its increasing economic, political, and strategic weight in the Asia-Pacific region, and its outstanding performance in a post-crisis global economy. With an average annual economic growth of 9.5% over the past two decades, China has remained the single largest contributor to global growth over the past few years. Known for its unprecedented economic developments, it has also become an infamous runner-up on environmental measures (2nd largest energy consumer), and a serious contender in the race to become the largest greenhouse gas emitter worldwide.

In the long term, China may face serious conflicts between energy supply and demand. A large and growing population, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the significant increase in individual consumption may well result in ecological degradation and water shortages. We need to take a hard look at urbanization in particular, as burgeoning cities are very much reliant on the natural and human resources that originate outside their gates. Big cities also have wider impacts on the surrounding rural ecosystems than just using them as a storehouse.

China isn't alone; the company it keeps on Asian coastal regions also have major cities posed to suffer disproportionately from the negative effects of climate change and the consequent rise in natural disasters. East Asia is home to four of the top ten most vulnerable and exposed population concentrations. The high risk these cities run call for at least one way to batten down the hatches: implementing a climate sensitive risk reduction plan as part of low carbon urban development strategies.

UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have created a series of plans directed towards the economy, society, and environment. China's visions are similar to the UN's, and progress towards achievement of its MDGs has been strongly motivated, with poverty cut in half since 1990. China is well positioned to reach many of the remaining MDG targets by 2015. Goals for Ensuring Environmental Sustainability indicate safe drinking water and improved sanitation are within reach, however their goal to reverse losses of environmental resources will not be achieved as quickly.

Climate change is another global crisis that has been slow to get attention and is now gaining speed. Climate variability and future change are not abstractions, and they will rain on the just and unjust alike. However, the poor populations of developing countries have a far higher risk of exposure to the violent realities. Climate change may hamper the process of eradicating poverty and achievement of MDGs, what with the phenomena much more directly effecting the livelihoods and the assets of the poor. The cumulative effects of global warming activities - largely stimulated by human, not natural, activity - demand an urgent, concerted response.

Government bodies responsible for environmental and natural resources management have made climate change response the top priority of the Chinese national agenda. China has been keeping two plates in the air: sustainable development and economic growth. These operations include national development planning, environmental legislation, and the systematic strengthening of environmental institutions. China has committed to CO2 reduction (on the basis of 2005 levels) to 40-45% density per unit GDP by 2020. A top-down policy on "Energy Conservation & Emission Reduction" has become a key in appraising local officials' performance. Low Carbon approaches to economic development are being promoted and in itself have become a new economic engine, generating legislation, policy, technology, forestation and public awareness.