CEOs of three of China’s largest companies have made a commitment to fight global warming and play a key role in the world’s transition to a low carbon economy.

The announcement comes as research has revealed that China has overtaken the US as the world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases. While the country’s output of CO2 per capita is still quite low the country accounts for 24 per cent of the world’s emissions.

However it’s not all bad news with China already the leading renewable energy producer in the world, the largest hydro-electric fleet and largest wind power farm in the world.

The companies will join the Climate Group a not for profit organisiation that works with government and business leaders to advance climate change and accelerate a low carbon economy.

The new members include China Mobile, Broad Air Conditioning and Suntech, the word’s third largest solar energy company. The CEOs of these companies have pledged to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions and work with their stakeholders to accelerate a low carbon economy.

• Union: China going green ‘illegally’
• ‘Opinion-making’ Climate Group wins Charity Award
• Best-laid eco-plans fall short in China
• Study: emerging economies more eager to act on global warming
• China to build 1GW solar power plant
• Better Place electric car revolution motors on
• Global banks pledge to tackle CO2 emissions
• Climate Change Capital to invest $732m in Chinese clean tech
• Financial sector banks on climate change framework
• IFC banks on $145m Chinese energy efficiency