Milestones in China’s Energy and Climate Policy

On 19 November, China National Government Offices Administration, NDRC, MoF and MEE jointly issued the Implementation Plan for In-depth Green and Low Carbon Leading Action of Public Institutions to Peak Carbon Emissions, the second of the N sectoral plans of the country’s 1+N policy framework to reach carbon peaking and neutrality goals.  China has in total about 1.58 million public institutions, of which the total energy consumption in 2019 was about 180 million tons of standard coal, accounting for about 3.7% of the national total of 4.86 billion tons. It is equivalent to about 399 million tons of CO₂ emission, accounting for about 3.5% of China's total carbon emissions.

The plan sets the following objectives for China’s public institutions:

• By 2025, energy use structure and energy efficiency in public institutions shall continue to improve.
• The annual total energy consumption will be capped at 189 million tonnes standard coal
• Total CO₂ emissions will be capped at 400 million tonnes. Energy consumption and carbon emissions per unit floor space will cut 5% and 7% respectively, compared with 2020.
• Public institutions in some local areas should achieve carbon peaking before 2025 and public institutions nationwide shall peak carbon emissions as early as possible before 2030.

The plan puts forward five focal working areas, including the green transition of energy use, low carbon building operation, promotion on low-carbon technologies, introducing green and low carbon pilot projects and enhancing capacity building in green development. The plan specifies 20 concrete actions, including electrification of end energy use, solar PV and solar thermal projects, new energy vehicles, green buildings, energy-saving renovation of existing buildings, smart energy management in buildings, and greening of data centres.

To achieve the actions above, the plan also proposes specific targets for key areas, including:

• Promoting solar PV and solar heating projects: By 2025, new buildings of public institutions will have 50% of their roofs installed with solar PV. By 2025, newly added area of heating or cooling using heat pumps will reach 10 million square meters
• Controlling coal consumption: By 2025, the share of coal consumption will reduce to be-low 13%
• Selecting 300 green and low-carbon piloting public institutions and 2,000 pilots for energy conservation oriented public institutions

Public institutions shall include carbon emission per unit of floor space as a binding indicator in the work planning and assessment system to conserve energy and resources.

Sources:
“国家机关事务管理局 国家发展和改革委员会 财政部 生态环境部关于印发深入开展公共机构绿色低碳引领行动促进碳达峰实施方案的通知,” National Government Offices Administration, 19 November, 2021, at www.ggj.gov.cn/tzgg/202111/t20211119_33936.htm.
“万亿级公共机构低碳改造市场开启,” Ugreen, 25 November 2021, at baijiahao.baidu.com/s

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.

Click here for the source information.

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.

Click here for the full English version of the white paper "Responding to Climate Change: China's Policies and Actions".

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.

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.

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.