Consequently, the new emissions programme, announced by China's National Development and Reform Commission, has outlined steps that China will take to meet overall energy efficiency. A 62-page report promises not to tread the traditional path of industrialiation with its high consumption and high emissions. Measures to improve China's environment will include expanded research and deployment of new energy-saving technologies, improvement of agricultural infrastructure, increased tree-planting and water resource management and greater public awareness of the issue.

What intrigues is Beijing's assertion that its carbon emission cuts could not be at the cost of its economic growth. As a responsible member of the UN Security Council, China has an obligation to the world community to at least secure its breathing safe and secure, if not their territories and people's lives. The same is true about all developed nations as well as countries like India contaminating the breathing air and adding to the terrible climate change.

Not only the G-8 and other international and regional organisations and institutions, but the UNSC should also concentrate on climate change on a priority basis so as to arrest the fast growing danger to mankind.