{"id":32985,"date":"2015-06-30T14:45:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-30T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-11-10T12:04:30","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T12:04:30","slug":"7985-china-aims-to-cut-carbon-intensity-6-65-in-national-climate-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/7985-china-aims-to-cut-carbon-intensity-6-65-in-national-climate-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"China aims to cut carbon intensity 60%-65% in national climate plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

China has mapped out how it will try and peak greenhouse emissions by 2030 or before, details that could have a major bearing on UN climate talks aimed at delivering a deal in Paris later this year. <\/span><\/p>\n

The world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases \u201cwill work hard\u201d to peak its CO2 emissions before 2030, Premier Li Keqiang said at a summit meeting with the French government in Paris ahead of the publication of its ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contribution’<\/a> (INDC) in Beijing and submission to the UN’s climate arm.<\/p>\n

The document<\/a> said China plans to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy 60%-65% per unit of GDP by 2030, compared with 2005 levels, and reiterated a previously-announced aim that renewables should make up 20% of its primary energy supply by the same date. <\/p>\n

The English language translation of the 20-page document said:  “A one-thousand-mile journey starts from the first step”.<\/p>\n

It added that to reach its 2030 goals, China would need to build on actions already taken by introducing new, toughly-enforced laws and penalties and hasten sweeping changes to how it produces and consumes energy, goods and raw materials.<\/p>\n

Analysts pointed out that the 60%-65% goal on cutting carbon intensity represented a major increase from previous commitments, but the rate at which emissions still rise, peak and then fall would be largely dependent on what happens to GDP in China.<\/p>\n

“It will be interesting to see if China clarifies this further,\u201d said Mark Kenber of the Climate Group.<\/p>\n

Other analysts said the 60%-65% carbon intensity target reflected the advances already made by China to decarbonise its economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeeting this goal won\u2019t be easy, but research shows that with a sustained commitment China can reach its target even before 2030. This commitment will benefit China and represents a serious and credible contribution to tackle climate change,\u201d said Jennifer Morgan of the World Resources Institute. <\/div>\n

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However, Li Shuo of Greenpeace China said the targets outlined in the INDC were at the less ambitious end of the scale of what is possible in China.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt does not fully reflect the significant energy transition that is already taking place in China,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cGiven the dramatic fall in coal consumption, robust renewable energy uptake, and the urgent need to address air pollution, we believe the country can go well beyond what it has proposed today.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Nick Mabey of consultancy E3G said the climate plan was a sign that China would pursue lower-carbon development, but that the country could do more. He added: “It must now integrate climate change actions into its ambitious development and economic reforms.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Policies and targets that have already been announced, including last year\u2019s promise to peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, make up much of the document submitted to the UN.<\/div>\n
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