The planet is warming because of a build-up of excess greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide caused by burning fossil fuels like coal and oil.

China is now the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, having recently overtaken the US, according to figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The IEA also estimates that, by 2030, China and India alone will use more than half of all energy consumed in the world. It is possible to keep up with China’s – and the world’s – energy demands if we increase energy efficiency and use more renewable energy. These two actions are also fundamental if we want to slow climate change.

According to reports by the UN and leading scientific publications, a temperature increase of more than 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels will lead to up to one million species becoming extinct. It will also damage ecosystems and threaten the lives, homes and livelihoods of billions of people.

It’s extremely important that Chinese carbon emissions are controlled and lowered. China is aware of the challenges and is taking action – it has set a target of 15% of its total energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. Encouraging industry, businesses and individuals to be energy efficient is also a key target.

WWF and RSA are leading in-depth research into how the insurance sector in particular can help lower carbon emissions in China, both through increasing use of renewable energy and being more energy efficient.

Over the past 300 years the insurance industry has helped drive social, economic and technological growth. RSA is a leading insurer of renewable energy across the world, helping insure renewable technologies from design through to disposal.

Working together will help engage the technical expertise and environmental knowledge to support this transition.

The research will provide a solid basis for the insurance industry to promote low-carbon solutions in China in the future and demonstrate how properly-designed insurance services can play a key role in sustainable business development.