Wait a minute. China is already the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases and expects to triple its liquefied natural gas demand over the next 10 years, but also claims to be working to reduce carbon emissions. British Prime Minister Tony Blair seems convinced that China is committed to reducing carbon emissions beginning in 2011.

PM Blair told news agencies that he believes reduced carbon emissions are at the heart of the Chinese economic growth plans. All of this in the shadow of a recently approved deal for ExxonMobil and PetroChina to export Australian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to China in record-setting amounts.

The Chinese government has been opposed to the strict emission cuts that have been suggested for approval at the December meeting of the UN Climate consortium in Copenhagen. China believes the richer nations should be held to a more strict reduction standard than the poorer nations. Of course, China sees itself as one of the poorer nations (although the US now owes China more money than anyone can actually count).

Although China is responsible for 80% of the world’s carbon emissions, they believe other nations, such as the US, should lead the way in carbon emission reduction. China claims to have set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by reducing energy consumption by as much as 20% by 2010. Not likely given the recent LNG deal.

The unusual twist here is that China talks about reducing carbon emissions while at the same time talking about increasing the importation and use of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Australia. The double talk may be related to the difference between using more gas and emitting less carbon waste. To do this, China would have to design and use low-carbon emitting systems in all areas requiring fossil fuels. This is something even the richer nations have had trouble with.

A real and achievable goal to reduce carbon emissions would include a real reduction in fossil fuel use, although this does not seem to be a part of the Chinese plan. The billions of dollars that will be spent and earned by ExxonMobil and PetroChina to pipe Australian natural gas to China would not be feasible if real reductions in LNG demand were a part of the plan.

China sees itself as one of the poorer nations and therefore deserving of special consideration when it comes to the worldwide demand to reduce carbon emissions. China also feels a need to become more industrialized (like the US) and therefore needs to behave wastefully (like the US).

The bottom line is this; no real change will occur unless all nations of the world take responsibility in the reduction of carbon emissions. Each nation must do its fair share to make the necessary changes. Does China really believe the rest of the world is not watching?