China's pledge to substantially reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the next decade will not only boost the prospects of a global deal on climate change at next month's conference in Copenhagen, but also is a clarion call from the world's largest developing economy that it's going all out to embrace a low-carbon future.

The country will cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020, taking 2005 as the base year. The government decision, announced yesterday, was voluntary and based on existing national conditions.

Experts agree that the sooner China strikes a balance between its economic growth and GHG emission cuts, the more it would contribute to the fight against global warming.

On the one hand, as a big GHG emitter, China's endeavor to boost energy efficiency and reduce carbon intensity will, in itself, be a major contribution to the global fight against climate change. On the other, its success in transforming into a low-carbon economy will set an example for other developing countries.

Though these countries are not responsible for the environmental damage - that ignominy rests with the developed world - many of them are worried that the sort of limits the rich nations will impose on their GHG emissions could thwart their economic development.

If the rest of the developing world sees that a country like China can thrive by emitting lower levels of GHGs, they will find more reasons to throw their weight behind a global deal on climate change. Of course, that decision will also depend on whether the rich countries keep their promise of transferring technology and providing financial aid to the poor countries to enable them to fight climate change.

The unilateral decision to set a concrete and credible target on GHG emission cut demonstrates China's resolution to help reach a fair and reasonable arrangement - if a deal cannot be struck, that is - at Copenhagen.

To meet the emission cut target, the government will increase energy efficiency considerably, and develop and use more renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Simultaneously, it will try to effect a paradigm shift in the country's power generation and consumption.

This is no easy task for a country that is undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, and cannot be fulfilled unless everyone - governments at all levels, private enterprises and individuals - does his/her bit to save energy and other resources and cut their carbon footprints.

We do not need to wait for a low-carbon future. It starts now.