Written by: Waseem Abbas
Posted on: September 22, 2023 | 
| 中文
Beijing before and after the implementation of the climate change policy
The Chinese government's approach to combating the impacts of climate change has undergone significant improvement over the course of the previous decade. China's President Xi Jinping announced in September 2021 that the country would make an effort to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2060. This was seen as a significant advance not only for the country, but also for the whole movement in support of preventing or slowing down climate change on a global scale. According to the Paris Agreement of 2015, China was committed to trying to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by sixty percent by the year 2030. According to research done by the United Nations Development Program, China was able to more than double its renewable energy capacity between 2013 and 2017, and it is planning to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its total energy consumption. The Chinese government now sees the increasing importance of green technology as a growth opportunity for the economy. Similarly, the Chinese government is working towards creating the market conditions that would make green energy competitive. Moreover, the new Chinese government has recognized the need for cleaner air, water and reduced carbon emissions in order to build a healthier China.
Beijing before and after climate change measures
The Communist Party of China's Five-Year Plans, in which it lays out its social and economic growth goals, have been modified to incorporate policies that aim to mitigate the ill-effects of climate change. This was done to comply with international obligations and fulfill the requirements stipulated by international agreements to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. China’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015) stated its aims regarding renewable energy development, green technology innovation, carbon intensity reduction, pollution control, reforestation and afforestation. During this time period, there was a reduction of 17% in carbon intensity, which refers to the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP), as well as a reduction of 16% in energy intensity, which refers to the quantity of energy consumed per unit of gross domestic product.
A solar park in Huaibei, Anhui province, China
In May 2014, a "Leading Small Group" was launched as an institution, directly responsible to the Central Committee of the CCP in formulating, initiating and implementing climate-related projects within China. The formation of the "Leading Small Group" on carbon, is a development that stands out as being particularly noteworthy in its own right. This is a resounding proof of China's commitment to fulfilling the stringent climate targets it set forth in 2020, which are establishing carbon neutrality by the year 2060 (often referred to as "net zero"), and reaching a peak in carbon emissions by the year 2030. The "Leading Small Group" has emerged as an essential component of China's political system and governance, and it has also emerged as a distinguishing feature of Xi Jinping's administration. It has been shown to be successful in implementing initiatives across the ministerial and departmental boundaries of the Chinese bureaucracy, by ensuring follow-through in the entire system. The fact that it is now possible for China to say that a small group can be developed within its political system to tackle complex issues, demonstrates the high level of progress made by the Communist Party of China and shows just how essential the CCP has become for modern governance in China. The importance of China in fulfilling its climate goals would have global ramifications, but if China's 2020 climate commitments are met, the country can secure economic and political dominance throughout much of the 21st century. By showing how a "Leading Small Group" is successful at tackling large scale issues in the current political environment, the CPC is showing the world that the government of China has progressed in a number of key areas through an informed and consistent strategy.
Annual meeting of China's 'Leading Small Group' for decarbonization (Xinhua news website)
The N+1 Action Policy Framework (N+1 are the guidelines and action plan for key industries to achieve decarbonization), and is meant to increase the government's capacity to rally the country and the private sector in its decarbonization efforts. Green and low-carbon technology innovation, energy sector institutional reform and the creation of incentive and restraint mechanisms are all part of the plan. Global climate governance, green business, technology, financial cooperation and a greener Belt and Road Initiative are all emphasized in the plan.
China, since 2010, has consistently gained solar and wind energy production targets. President Xi Jinping has also announced that China will not fund coal power projects domestically and internationally. It means a great deal to the evolving energy order, in which countries are making an effort to become carbon neutral, but it is still not enough to slow down global warming.
People wade through a flooded street in Zhengzhou, China in 2021
The Chinese government has also made major investments in the research and distribution of electric vehicles, besides offering substantial subsidies and incentives to the industry. In 2009, electric vehicles captured only a fraction of the market, fewer than 15,000 out of 2.6 million passenger cars were sold in China. In 2010, the Chinese government announced a target of 5 million electric vehicles on China's roads by 2020, and included it in the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" for economic development. According to the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), China is making its EV (Electric Vehicle) goal a reality, and could dominate the global electric car market within a decade.
Workers assemble battery-powered automobiles at a factory in Shenzhen in southern China, 2018
China issued a White Paper in 2021, responding to climate change. It states that China would actively seek out innovative low-carbon models of growth, make concerted measures to decrease pollution and carbon emissions, and maintain its firm commitment to a green and low-carbon route to development. China also pledges to work toward the full, balanced, effective and sustained implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, in order to meet its nationally determined contribution goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance its capacity to adapt to climate change.
Among the eight focus areas of China's recently announced Global Development Initiative that seeks to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals through partnerships, is the battle against climate change. China is also participating in international initiatives, such as the G20 sustainable finance working group, which it co-chairs with the United States. China has signed both the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The successful negotiations that led to the Paris Agreement were greatly aided by the U.S. and China's landmark 2014 Joint Announcement on Climate Change, which codified the two countries' engagement on climate change. At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, China co-chaired the Green Climate Fund with Germany, a sign of its growing relevance and influence in the international arena.
Since 1880, the average temperature of the planet has risen by 1.1 degree Celsius, and as temperatures rise, droughts, floods, increase in sea level, amongst other climatic catastrophes are destroying human settlements. As the leading producer of CO2 emissions, China and America need to step up and control the ill-effects of the climate change. With 16 gigatons of carbon emissions, China is emitting 20% of global emissions as a global leader of industry and production. China is leading the world in climate change response as well, through its well-defined policies and effective implementation. By making orderly and rapid transition towards low emission and sustainable energy sources, China is mitigating the risks of climate change and is paving way for other countries to follow its example.
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