Based on current world trends, scientists have predicted that global temperatures could rise over two degrees Celsius within this century, chairman of the European Climate Forum Carlo Jaeger said at a briefing here.

This would have a disastrous impact on China, which would experience more frequent and more severe droughts and floods, stronger storms and more serious water shortages, Jaeger said.

Natural disasters like floods and drought already cost thousands of lives in China each year and billions of dollars in economic losses.

"To some extent, we may also have more tropical diseases, more dangerous malaria," he said.

Experts at the forum said China, like other countries, should invest in new technologies for cleaner energy.

Jaeger suggested it follow the European Union's example and look into renewable, hydrogen-based energy as a possible solution, or investigate other emission-free solutions.

"It is important to say that coal can be burned in a much more efficient way, it is also good for air pollution. This needs new power plants and new technologies," he said.

"It is possible today to burn coal so you make no emission, you can capture carbon dioxide and store it."

The drawback is that the new technologies need huge amounts of investment. Europe has earmarked several trillion euros over the next 20 years.

China still relies heavily on coal-fired power plants, which are cheaper and quicker to build than alternatives like natural gas, nuclear or hydroelectric plants. Coal is also readily available.

But coal-burning emits large amounts of sulphur dioxide and other pollutants, causing acid rain and respiratory illnesses.

As a first step the government has ordered the plants to adopt pollution control measures such as installing emissions-cleaning equipment, but requirements are not strictly enforced.

Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan pledged last month that China would pursue environmentally friendly production and consumption patterns to reduce pollution and save resources.

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