China’s green transformation boosts global hope
Experts say that ambitious emission targets and carbon commitments mark other avenues. Last year, as the pandemic forced millions of people to stay indoors, away from roads, and leave the workplace, the planet stopped breathing for the first time in the past seventy years. The China development for reduces global emissions in 2020 by 2.6 billion tons compare with the previous year. Emissions continuously increase since the Second World War.
However, according to the Global Carbon Plan, which released data last week, this reduction may only be temporary. Widespread outages in the transportation sector are the main reason for the decline in emissions. Climate scientists say that all countries focus to prevent carbon dioxide levels from rebounding.
Chinese leaders announce two ambitious goals at the end of last year. Firstly, promises to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP or carbon intensity by at least 65% by 2030. Secondly, committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
In these two sessions, China’s highest legislative body. The National People’s Congress and the highest political advisory body-the annual meeting of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. China further drafted a road map to achieve a green transition.
Premier Li Keqiang said in the “Government Work Report 2021. We will ensure that China reaches its expected national contribution to climate change by 2030. We will accelerate China’s growth model towards green development. Transition and promote high-quality economic growth and high standards of environmental protection.
Li Zhaoxing confirms that during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period (2021-25).
The energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP reduce 13.5% and 18% respectively. While forest coverage will expand to 24.1% of China’s total land area.
Asher Minns, executive director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia. I find China’s continued ambitions around climate and biodiversity are indeed encouraging. All policies and All actions will slow down (emissions) and strengthen the impact of forests and ecosystems on everyone.
For those who are eager to hear more details about how China will achieve its peak emissions and ultimately neutrality, Li Keqiang explained that an action plan this year will reveal more.
Li Zhaoxing said: “We will formulate an action plan to make carbon emissions reach the peak by 2030. China’s industrial structure and energy structure need to improve. While promoting the clean and efficient use of coal, we will vigorously develop new energy sources. , And take active and orderly steps to develop nuclear energy on the basis of ensuring nuclear energy. Safe use.”
Commitment
British economist Nicholas Stern is the director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Environment at the London School of Economics. He welcomes Chinese continued commitment to the development of renewable infrastructure. Reliance on fossil fuels is crucial.
Stern told in the China Daily newspaper: Chinese has committed to promoting low-carbon energy from nuclear and renewable energy, but it is still highly dependent on fossil fuels, especially coal.”
Likewise, Stern said that China can “promote a sustainable economic recovery” from the pandemic and “accelerate the transition to high-quality development and growth”, especially in cities.
Furthermore, he said, “This will enable China to achieve… an ecological civilization during the “Fourteen Five-Year Plan” period.” “This will reveal China’s leadership position and will affect other largest emitters, including the United States. Put pressure on it to take more ambitious actions against climate change.”
Ajay Gambhir, a senior researcher at Imperial College London, said that China is “speaking the right voice” for the green transition. Gambier told the China Daily: “By 2030, the current emission intensity will exceed the current 65%, and eventually more specific and detailed ambitions are expected.” He added that “key issues remain about the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants. exist”.