EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service
4
China's climate policies
China officially submitted its mid-century long-term
low greenhouse gas emission development strategy
and an updated NDC in October 2021, ahead of COP26,
pledging to reach carbon neutrality before 2060 and
peaking CO
2
emissions before 2030. By 2030, China
aims to decrease its carbon intensity by over 65 % from
the 2005 level, and to reach over 1 200 GW installed
wind and solar power. The share of non-fossil fuels in
primary energy consumption should reach 25 % by
2030. China's forest stock should be 6 billion cubic
metres above the 2005 level by 2030.
China's targets are supported by its action plan for
carbon dioxide peaking before 2030 and working
guidance for carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality, as well as the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP).
China had announced that it will 'strictly control coal consumption' over the period of the 14th FYP
(2021-2025) and phase down coal consumption over the period of the 15th FYP. In 2021, however,
China's yearly coal production reached its highest-ever level and consumption of coal also increased
by 4.6 % due to an increase in energy demand. China's energy-related CO
2
emissions in 2021
consequently rose by 5.8 % compared to 2020, according to the
BP statistical review.
In his opening speech to the Chinese Communist Party's 20th National Congress on
16 October 2022, President Xi Jinping said China plans to promote its energy revolution and engage
in global climate governance. China and the
Group of 77 developing countries have been pushing
to put the issue of loss and damage on the agenda of the upcoming COP27 climate change
conference in Egypt.
Climate Action Tracker rates China's climate policy as 'highly insufficient' and recommends that
China reduce emissions as early as possible and well before 2030, decrease coal and other fossil fuel
consumption much faster than currently planned and set clear phase-out timelines.
Climate Change
Performance Index gives China a low overall rating, but with mixed ratings across categories: very
low for GHG emissions and energy use, medium for renewable energy, and high for climate policy.
MAIN REFERENCES
Sandalow, D. et al., Guide to Chinese Climate Policy 2022, Oxford Institute of Energy Studies, 2022
Tracking Clean Energy Innovation: Focus on China, International Energy Agency, March 2022
IGHT
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The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is
the world's largest hydroelectric power station,
with a capacity of 22.5 GW.