UNDP China launches China National Human Development Report 2009/10 [Maverick Chen / China.org.cn]

UNDP's latest China Development Report stresses the importance of sustainable development and a low-carbon approach.

Low-carbon policies are imperative for China's future growth, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said in its latest China Human Development Report (HDR) released April 15 in Beijing.

The report, China and a Sustainable Future, Towards a Low Carbon Economy and Society, says China has "no other choice" but to shift to a low carbon approach.

The report, produced by UNDP in partnership with Renmin University of China, says only a low-carbon development path can preserve and extend China's human development achievements in the years to come.

The report points out problems in China's current growth model that, if not tackled, will undermine the country's development in the long run.

"China is at a critical juncture where the 'business as usual' growth model is insufficient in meeting the country's emerging challenges and pressures," said Dr. Khalid Malik, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in China.

"The report's conclusions and recommendations will both be valuable in providing guidelines in shaping the country's rapidly evolving policies on sustainability," said Malik.