Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions according to the information given in the passage and the required words limit. Write your answers on your answer sheet.
As the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen enters the homestretch(最后阶段), government leaders, heads of international organizations, and academics gathered at a side event to debate China’s political and economic shift towards a low carbon model of growth. The event drew upon the previous results of China’s oncoming 2009/10 National Human Development Report (NHDR), entitled, China’s Pathway Towards a Low Carbon Economy and Society.
The China NHDR 2009/10 is developed by UNDP China and Renmin University. One of the many interesting findings of this report suggest that some of the more economically advanced provinces in China are the least carbon intensive (密集的) while those which have a lower income and lower human development indicators have higher carbon emissions (排放) patterns. This indicates that human development does not necessarily need to be accompanied by increases in greenhouse gas emissions. A more sustainable and low carbon development path, and one which is consistent with advancing human development goals, is indeed possible. While past economic and social progress in China and elsewhere has come at a certain cost, including to the environment, future developments can follow a different path.
Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China, stressed UNDP’s obligation to helping further China’s progress towards a low carbon model. “UNDP is cooperating with China in dealing with the challenges of climate change and working towards a green economy, a low-carbon economy, and a circular (循环的) economy. We are doing this by, for instance, promoting energy efficiency in industry and buildings, and supporting the fulfillment of the National Climate Change Policy at the local level,” said Malik.
“As it plays an ever more important part in global affairs, China can also play an increasingly important role in advancing sustainable development around the world. China also has the experience and technology available to address challenges in other developing countries, including those related to adapting to and reducing climate change,” commented Clark.
Following the discussions, panelists (与会者) participated in a bicycle ride to highlight the importance of using environmentally friendly transportation and advocate for simple solutions to low carbon development.
1. Why did the leaders and the academics gather on the homestretch in Copenhagen? (no more than 14 words)
2. Which places have higher carbon emissions? (no mo
re than 7 words)
3. How is the role of China in Global affairs according to the text? (no more than 3 words)
4. What did the panelists do to advocate for simple solutions to low carbon development? (no more than 7 words)
