The State Council has mapped out China's plan to tackle climate change. It announced that the country is going to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40 to 45 percent compared with 2005 levels.

China unveiled its first firm target to curb greenhouse gas emissions on Thursday.

The State Council said it promises to cut carbon intensity up to 45 percent by 2020. The move is a "binding goal", that will also strengthen various policies to reach the target, including taxation and financial measures.

Meanwhile, China has set a goal to supply 15 percent of primary energy consumption with non-fossil fuels by 2020.