As the world’s largest carbon emitter, China’s climate commitments in September 2020 to achieve peak carbon before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060 are of profound significance to the global response to climate change. More than a year on from China’s climate pledge, the Chinese government is aligning its policies and strategic planning at all socio and economic levels to achieve the climate goal.
In October 2021, the Chinese central government issued a policy document on top-level, overarching green and low carbon transition guidance for China’s national and international development strategy, followed by the corresponding, but more concrete and 2030-oriented Action Plan. Further relevant departments and administrative units will then develop individual implementation plans for peaking carbon dioxide in energy, industry, urban and rural development, transport, agriculture, and rural areas, as well as for specific industries in accordance with the plan. Each region will also draw up its own regional action plan to achieve peaking carbon dioxide in accordance with the requirements of the overarching guidance. This series of documents will build up a “1+N” policy system (“1” stands for one guidance, “N” stands for numbers of action/implementation plan) with clear objectives, reasonable responsibility division, strong measures, and orderly coordination to achieve carbon neutrality.
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China submitted the updated NDC
On 28 October, China submitted its updated NDC to UNFCCC. The updated NDC is as follows:
- aim to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060;
- lower CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by over 65% from the 2005 level
- increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25%,
- increase the forest stock volume by 6 billion cubic meters from the 2005 level,
- bring its total installed capacity of wind and solar power to over 1200 GW by 2030.
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White paper “Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions”
Following the official release of the Guidance and the Action Plan, the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China released the white paper titled “Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions” on 27 October, 2021. The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to document its progress in mitigating climate change, and to share its experience and approaches with the international community.
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Launching the top level cliamte policy package
On 24 October 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the “Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy” (the Guidance), which is the guiding principle (the “1”) of the earlier announced “1+N policy system” to achieve carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality goals. The Guidance can be understood as the top-level, overarching green and low carbon transition guidance for China’s national and international development strategy. It also lays the foundation for supporting measures in key industries and other areas.
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Pre-announcement on overarching and concrete policies and action plans at COP meeting of Convention on Biological Diversity
On 12 October 2021, Chinese president Xi Jinping outlined at the Leaders’ Summit of the 15th COP Meeting of Convention on Biological Diversity that China will release implementation plans for peaking carbon dioxide emissions in key areas and sectors as well as a series of supporting measures and will put in place a “1+N” policy framework for carbon peak and carbon neutrality. China will continue to readjust its industrial structure and energy mix, vigorously develop renewable energy, and make faster progress in planning and developing large wind power and photovoltaic bases in sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts. The first phase of projects with an installed capacity of approximately 100 GW have recently started construction in a smooth fashion.
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Establishment of leading group on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality
On 26 May 2021, the first plenary meeting of newly established leading group on carbon peak and carbon neutrality took place in Beijing. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng stressed efforts to accomplish the country’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals on schedule. He also highlighted targeted and operable policy measures to optimize the industrial structure, promote the adjustment of the energy structure and support research and development on green and low-carbon technologies.
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New carbon emission reduction goal announced at Climate Ambition Summit
On 12 December 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his speech at the Climate Ambition Summit that by 2030, China’s carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will drop by more than 65% compared to 2005, the share of non-fossil energy in primary energy consumption will reach about 25%, forest stock will increase by 6 billion cubic metres compared to 2005, and the total installed capacity of wind and solar power will reach more than 1200 GW.
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New ambitious 2030/2060 climate goal
In September 2020, China’s President Xi Jinping for the first time announced a concrete long-term target of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 at the UN General Assembly. This is regarded as a significant step for the global fight against climate change.
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The Coordination and Responsibility
The Central Party Committee of China and the State Council take the central and integral lead for China’s climate policy development and the pathway to achieve carbon neutrality. On a central governmental level, a Leading Group for Carbon Neutral Work, headed by Vice-Premier Han Zheng was established to carry out overall planning and systematic promotion of the relevant work. The Office of the Leading Group (located at the National Development and Reform Commission) will strengthen coordination and regular scheduling, scientifically propose timetables and roadmaps for the peaking of carbon dioxide, and supervise the implementation of all targets and tasks. On provincial level, local governments (provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities) have set up leading groups to strengthen the coordination of local peak carbon and carbon-neutral work. Meanwhile, the National Climate Change Expert Committee and other supporting institutions continue to play an advisory role.
