A joint initiative has been launched to assist regions across China to take action on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Under the project, 14 provinces and municipalities in the country will be supported to develop local climate change programs which contain strategies and policies to both reduce emissions and take adaptation measures.

Our reporter Dan Dan brings us more.

Reporter:

The 4.8 million US dollar project is aimed at translating China's National Climate Change Program into local action in priority provinces.

It is a joint effort conducted by National Development and Reform Commission or NDRC, United Nations Development Program or UNDP, the government of Norway and the European Union.

Su Wei, a senior official with the NDRC, said in recent years climate change has greatly cut down world's grain output and caused a more severe shortage of water resources. In this case, the project is particularly important for regions across the China.

"I believe the initiative will effectively strengthen China's efforts in addressing climate change at provincial level and in a more sustainable manner. This can also promote the country's cooperation with the international society to contribute to preserve global climate and environment."

Sun Cuihua, an official with the climate change office under NDRC, details the areas that the project would cover.

"The project includes the design and development of Provincial Climate Change Program, capacity building for provincial climate change institutions, raising public awareness on climate change and knowledge management and sharing of international best practices."

Kishan Khoday, an environment manager with UNDP China also expressed his anticipation for the project.

"This innovative program can ensure that global best practices and solutions start to bring real results at the local level in China. This is a call for new thinking for the outlines for a new revolution based on innovative policies; technologies and financing that bring energy security and reduce the threats of ecological crisis."

One of the projects under this framework is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country's largest coal producers Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region by improving efficiency and pollution controls in local industries.

Dan Dan, CRI news.