The Japanese government has announced its intentions to follow the US lead and become a member of the new intergovernmental renewable energy agency IRENA.

Chinese leaders this week highlighted praise for green policies from visiting US climate change envoy Todd Stern while upping the ante on solar and wind power by pledging to reach the European target for 2020 in solar and wind power.

China has drafted rules for tighter control of gas mileage to improve fuel economy 18 percent, or 42.2 miles per gallon, by 2015, demonstrating tougher rules than recently announced American gas mileage standards.

Two government bodies have drafted a list of mandatory environmental measures for Chinese outbound investment, state media reported last week.

The Chinese government issued a statement Thursday saying rich nations should cut emissions 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020, and provide 0.5 to 1 percent of economic wealth to help other countries curb carbon emissions.

Cutting back on greenhouse gases doesn’t have to mean limiting China’s economic development, says a report submitted to Chinese officials this week.

Renewable energy and environmental sectors in Asia are expected to boom as analysts predict green-related investments, like energy efficient power grids, will account for $272 billion, or 20 percent, of economic stimulus spending in Asia. Regional governments have sprinkled incentives for investment, particularly in solar and wind power industries. If ...