(For related story, click on [ID:nSP481176]) March 18 (Reuters) - Asia has some of the world's top greenhouse gas polluters and their role in achieving a broader climate pact at the end of the year during U.N.-led talks will be crucial. Following are brief outlines of climate policy in Asia's largest economies. CHINA The world's top greenhouse gas emitter is pushing for cleaner development and might step up efforts to tackle climate change, the country's top economic planner said earlier this month. Analysts also say China sees opportunities in promoting green industries as well as cost-savings from energy efficiency. Beijing is worried about its reliance on imported oil and gas, the health and economic consequences of its murky air and water and risks of protests and unrest from citizens threatened by pollution and now also unhappy about the economy. INDIA The world's number-four emitter last year released an eight-pillar national climate action plan that backs market-based measures to promote energy efficiency, although coal-fired generation will continue to underpin the growing economy. The government hopes to reduce energy consumption by at least 25 percent in energy-intensive sectors such as power and cement. No timeline is prescribed for reaching the target. But most firms have yet to plan for the impact of climate change and do not measure emissions or have deadlines to curb them, according to studies. JAPAN The government of Prime Minister Taro Aso aims to release by June a mid-term target to cut emissions and will soon present a stimulus plan to promote green products and jobs. The opposition Democrats have pledged to cut Japan's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels, a much tougher target than Aso is likely to back, and support greater use of renewable energy. Polls show the Democrats are favoured to win national elections this year, offering hope for tougher climate policies, although industry has long balked at mandatory emissions trading in the world's fifth largest greenhouse gas polluter. Japan is far above its Kyoto target to cut emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels during 2008-12 and has been buying U.N.-backed carbon offsets to try to meet its U.N. commitment. AUSTRALIA The top coal exporter and 15th largest economy is hoping to start the world's most sweeping emissions trading scheme from July 2010 but has run into strong opposition from rival political parties and industry. The government's trading scheme aims to cut emissions by at least 5 percent by 2020 from 2000 levels and 15 percent if there is a strong U.N. climate pact at the end of the year. The government has also draft legislation to enshrine 20 percent renewable energy production by 2020. Australia, which emits 1.5 percent of mankind's greenhouse gases, will likely meet its Kyoto target of 8 percent above 1990 emissions during 2008-12. INDONESIA Years of rapid loss of forests and annual forest fires have made Indonesia a leading source of planet-warming carbon dioxide. The government is developing what are believed to be the world's first regulations for a U.N.-backed scheme that would keep forests standing in return for potentially billions of dollars through the sale of carbon credits. The government also wants financial aid from rich nations to fund adaptation to climate change and the transfer of clean-energy technology. SOUTH KOREA The world's no. 13 economy will release plans for caps on greenhouse gas emissions some time this year with voluntary cuts for its major industries in the initial phase. President Lee Myung-bak has made green growth a pillar of his economic revitalisation plans and the government is trying to push a green growth bill through parliament. The bill also outlines the legal basis for emissions trading. (Sources: Reuters, World Bank) (Editing by Bill Tarrant)
A farmer works in a Paan or betel leaf garden in Sonamura village, 60 km (37 miles) south of Agartala, capital of India's northeastern state of Tripura March 17, 2009. Paan, ...
