“Controlling greenhouse gas emissions and adoptingto climate change(…)”
would be “(…)an important basis for setting the medium and long-term
development strategies and plans of government at every level”
Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao
China’s recent statements and Policy initiatives demonstrate growing concerns about energy security, pollution and the ability to sustain long-term strategies for developing low-carbon economy. Indeed, China confronts a challenge no other large, emerging economy has ever faced: fostering rapid economic growth while at the same time limiting harmful emissions. China is now the world’s largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases, but per capita these emissions are just 1/5 of those of the US. However, further economic development will be linked with higher greenhouse gas emissions. The “decarbonization” of China’s economy beginning with the policy steps it is taking today. In a recent series of high-profile statements, China’s leaders have indicated that confronting climate change and improving energy efficiency are becoming central goals of China’s domestic and foreign policies.
Recently, China has adopted a range of new policies, rules and targets. Many of these are linked to goals outlined in China’s “National Climate Change Programme” (link), approved by the State Council in June 2007. The government is also currently developing new energy and climate goals for its 12th Five Year Plan. It will begin in 2011, and it is expected to be build on existing policies, such as:
Reducing overall national energy intensity by 20% by 2010, by:
- making large enterprises more efficient (Top 1000 Energy-Consuming Enterprises Programme),
- building better coal-fired power plants (as of 2008 they must use state-of-the-art commercially available technology or better)
- closing wasteful facilities (accordingly to 11th Five Year Plan)
- raising taxes on petroleum
- spurring local government action
- helping consumers buy “green” home appliances (“Conservation Products Beneficial to Consumers Project”)
Expanding the use of renewable energy (by 2020, china has committed to generating at least 15% from not fossil resources), by:
- rapid expansion of wind power (China is currently the world’s fastest-growing installer of wind turbines)
- growing its solar industry
- diversifying domestic energy sources (by 2030, China’s aims to convert 30% of its total municipal waste to energy)
- expanding capacity for biomass
AS
