Checking Back on China’s Promises in Fighting Climate Change
Molten-salt solar power plant in Dunhuang, Northwest China (Image by Jinli Guo/GI).
by Yalin Xin, Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies and Director of China Studies Institute.
On a recent trip back to China with my family for the first time in four years, I couldn’t help noticing the changes around me, in technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy development, to name a few. Here are some facts:
Qingdao, my hometown, has become the world largest manufacture of high speed trains, and high speed railway network in China had covered 24,000 miles up to 2022.
Chinese made electric vehicles and EV market in China are growing rapidly and steadily. EV sales in 2023 are estimated to be 8 million in China compared with 5.9 million in the rest of the world.
Green and renewable energy development is expanding in shocking speed. Gansu, the province we visited during our trip, is home to the world largest wind farms with an installed capacity of 20 GW when completed.
How are these changes compared to the country’s pledged NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) goals from 2021 released before COP26 UN climate summit? In our early publication on China and Climate we referenced China’s White Paper, “Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Action”, which detailed the country’s achievements, strategies, initiatives, and goals. These include, 1) peaking its emissions of carbon dioxide by 2030; 2) lowering the carbon emissions by 65 percent compared with 2005 levels; 3) raising the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy consumption to 25%; and 4) increasing wind and solar power capacity to over 1,200 gigawatts.
Recent research and publications in the area of green energy development affirm that China is on track to achieve its goals:
China is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity, adding new capacity at the same pace as the rest of the world combined, driven by strong government policies and funding. (Oilprice 2023)
China is expected to hit its official NDC target of 1,200 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity five years ahead of schedule, and reach 1,800 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, 50% higher than its own target, potentially achieving peak emissions before 2030. (Global Energy Monitor 2023; Oilprice 2023)
China’s non-fossil fuel power generation capacity exceeds 50% of the country’s total capacity. (The State Council of PRC; cf. CarbonBrief 2023)
China vs the rest of the world combined on annual renewable energy capacity (from International Energy Agency)
IEA, Annual average capacity additions by country and region, 2016-2023, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/annual-average-capacity-additions-by-country-and-region-2016-2023
So, it looks like China is on track to fulfill its promises in NDC targets and, as a result, contributes significantly in the global fight against climate change. Much could be referenced from the global leader in renewable energy, i.e. government policies, strategic planning, education, funding and subsides in green energy, for the benefit of the global community in sustainable development. Each country or region will need to look closely at their own contextual resources, issues, and needs in dealing with the climate change, learn from the experiences of global communities, and deepen partnerships and cooperation among the international communities in face of humanity’s common challenge of climate change.
References:
Oilprice. 2023. “Decoding China’s Massive Green Energy Boom.” Accessed Aug 3, 2023. https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Decoding-Chinas-Massive-Green-Energy-Boom.html
The State Council of the People’s Republic of China. “China’s non-fossil fuel power generation capacity exceeds 50%.” English.gov.cn. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202306/13/content_WS6487c3cec6d0868f4e8dccc6.html#:~:text=China%27s%20non%2Dfossil%20fuel%20power%20generation%20capacity%20exceeds%2050%25&text=China%20has%20achieved%20a%20significant,fossil%20fuel%20plants%20by%202025
Global Energy Monitor. 2023. “China Poised to Double Wind and Solar Capacity Five Years Ahead of 2030 Target.” Accessed July 10, 2023.
https://globalenergymonitor.org/press-release/china-poised-to-double-wind-and-solar-capacity-five-years-ahead-of-2030-target/
CarbonBrief. 2023. China’s Non-fossil Electricity Generation Capacity Exceeds 50% of the Total. Accessed August 1, 2023.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/daily-brief/chinas-non-fossil-electricity-generation-capacity-exceeds-50-of-the-total/