Road to Carbon Neutrality: China releases 'blue book' on low-emission development

By: CGTN  Date:2021-12-30

China has published updates and plans for low-carbon development, as it sets out to peak emissions in the next eight years and become carbon-neutral by 2060. Guo Tianqi reports. 

China believes its energy transition will inevitably be painful. But it says it is striving to achieve carbon emission goals through a combination of industry experts and scholars.

The country's State Power Investment Corporation has co-written a report with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, which touches on the "energy trilemma." It says the global situation makes clear that energy security, equity and ecology need dynamic balance through proper policies.

HE YONGJIAN Dean, Strategic Research Institute, China's State Power Investment Corporation "Enterprises provide practice to think tanks, and think tanks can reflect on the difficulties of enterprises up to the decision-making level."

In China, most state-owned energy firms are leading the transition to renewable sources. This year alone, the five major power generation groups invested a total of 353 million kilowatts in new energy. Analysts say China's carbon goals also set a new growth point for its economy.

JING CHUNMEI Director-General, Institute of Energy Policy Studies, China Center for International Economic Exchanges "The European Union needs to invest 31 trillion US dollars to achieve carbon neutrality. China needs 21 trillion US dollars to achieve the same goal. This provides a huge space for industry iteration."

China also launched some large-scale measures this year aimed at carbon reduction, such as power rationing. At a key economic work conference, however, officials noted that actions should be in moderation.

GUO TIANQI Beijing "Experts say China's carbon target must be based on its coal-based energy grid, and ensure reducing emissions don't come at the cost of energy security and the economy. GUO TIANQI, CGTN, Beijing."