By the end of 2009, China’s energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 15.61 percent from the level of 2005, and the expected decrease by the end of 2010 is 20 percent (equivalent to removing 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions). At present, China’s renewable energy represents 9 percent of primary energy consumption. In 2009, China ranked first in the world in terms of hydraulic storage capacity, solar energy collection, new wind power storage capacity, and nuclear power under construction. Its forest cover reached 20.36 percent. These achievements constitute an important contribution from China to the global response to climate change.

Targets and Tasks

The 2020 targets (all based on the 2005 level and set by the Chinese government): the unit GDP carbon dioxide emission shall be cut by 40-45 percent; the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption shall reach 15 percent; and the forest area shall increase by 40 million hectares and growing stock by 1.3 billion cubic meters. In the coming decade, China will bend on climate change as an important strategy and integrate environmental targets and indicators as binding factors in its social and economic development planning and assessment system.

Two tasks are particularly urgent just now: controlling greenhouse gas emissions and increasing adaptive capability.

The first task requires China to accelerate industrial restructuring, upgrade traditional industries using low-carbon technology, and curb the development of high energy-consuming and carbon-emitting industries, through, among other things, the elimination of obsolete production capability. More specifically, China will push big energy-consuming sectors, such as construction and transport, to raise their energy efficiency. Also in the government’s crosshairs is strengthening clean production and utilization of coal by developing and popularizing high-efficiency, clean-burning technology. Optimizing the energy structure by promoting renewable energy sources, utilizing natural gas, and developing biomass and geothermal energy in line with local conditions are top priorities. Meanwhile, China will continue to develop forest resources, enhance the quality of forests, strengthen the protection and management of forest, wetland and desert ecosystems, and increase the forest carbon sink capability.

For the second task, China will study and work out its overall adaptation strategy and policy systems to define effective measures in key areas such as agriculture, forestry, water and air management, and fragile zones so as to mitigate the negative impact of climate change. It will also strengthen the comprehensive assessement of regional impacts, and the monitoring of marine and coastal ecosystems. Perfecting emergency contingency plans, response mechanisms and early warning systems to anticipate multiple disasters rounds out China’s mitigation capability.

Key Actions

Addressing climate change is a huge project in system engineering. For the time being China will concentrate on five aspects of response.

One, strengthen overall planning and classified guidance, and accomplish the targets of controlling greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. China will continue to work out a national plan to address climate change in its 12th Five-year Plan period (2011-2015), putting forward related targets, tasks, policies and measures. It will design emission control breakdown schemes and establish an emission statistics and measuring system and a targets-responsibilities evaluation system. China will continue with its pilot program by choosing typical localities and enterprises at different levels as models, to explore systems and mechanisms and regional or industrial development models that are conducive to carbon emission reduction and the formation of low-carbon industrial systems and consumption modes. The first group of low-carbon pilot projects in five provinces and eight cities were launched in July 2010.

Two, perfect law and policy systems. China will accelerate the legislative process as regards climate change and establish the institutional arrangement and policy framework for dealing with climate change. It will, in accordance with the demands of climate change, revise relevant laws, regulations, ordinances and standards, to ensure consistency of policies and actions in various fields. It will also formulate industrial, taxation, financial, technology and consumption policies conducive to controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

Three, strengthen scientific research and technical development. China will accelerate research and development of basic sciences and low-carbon technologies and formulate national sci-tech development strategies and programs to address climate change. They include, for example, a low-carbon technology roadmap, development programs for renewable energy, advanced nuclear energy, new-energy automobiles, energy conservation and emission reduction technologies in the fields of construction and transport, popularization of mature and high-efficiency energy-saving technologies, and carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technologies.

Four, strengthen publicity and education. China will step up public awareness and participation efforts and create a social atmosphere beneficial to dealing with climate change. It will promote low-carbon lifestyles and behaviors and guide urban and rural inhabitants to transform their consumption habits, so as to reduce carbon emission in their daily life.

Five, strengthen international dialogue and exchange. China will participate in various forms of multilateral and bilateral cooperation and use advanced international technologies and successful experiences to increase its adaptation and mitigation capabilities. Within the framework of “South-South Cooperation,” China will support other developing countries coping with climate change – in particular the least developed countries and those vulnerable to its adverse impacts. The promotion of international cooperation in scientific research, technology transfer, public education and information sharing will benefit all countries.

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