China's New Emissions Cap: A Step Toward 2030 Climate Goals

By Warrence Oghenevwegba

Published on: August 2, 2024, 8:09 P.M

China has announced a significant acceleration in its carbon emissions control efforts, aiming to solidify its position as a global leader in climate action. As part of its commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030, the Chinese government, through the State Council, has introduced a comprehensive "dual-control" system that will take effect during the 2026-2030 five-year plan period. This strategic shift is designed to enhance China’s ability to decouple its economic growth from carbon emissions, a crucial step towards achieving long-term sustainability.

Dual-Control System: Balancing Growth with Environmental Responsibility

The newly announced dual-control system will continue to focus on "energy and carbon intensity"—a metric that measures the energy and emissions required to produce a unit of economic output. However, the system introduces a vital addition: total emissions controls. This marks the first time China will implement a hard cap on emissions, indicating a shift from merely managing emissions intensity to actively controlling the total volume of greenhouse gases released. By 2030, these measures are expected to significantly reduce China's carbon footprint, aligning with global climate goals.

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Provinces and Municipalities to Play a Crucial Role

Under this plan, carbon budgets will be developed by China’s provinces and municipalities. These budgets are integral to the overall emissions reduction strategy, as they allow for more localized and targeted approaches to managing carbon output. The budgeting system will undergo testing before the end of 2025 to ensure its effectiveness. Additionally, the plan mandates improvements in the statistical and accounting systems for carbon emissions by 2025, with a particular focus on high-emission industries such as power generation, steel production, building materials, and petrochemicals. These industries are central to China’s economy, making their inclusion vital for the success of the overall emissions reduction strategy.

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Integration with Economic and Social Development Planning

Another critical aspect of China’s updated approach is the integration of carbon emissions quotas into national economic and social development planning. This integration ensures that as China continues to grow, it does so with an acute awareness of its environmental impact. Energy conservation assessments for fixed asset investment projects will now require consideration of carbon emissions, ensuring that new developments contribute to, rather than hinder, China’s climate goals.

Global Implications and Greenpeace's Endorsement

Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have welcomed this move. Yao Zhe, a global policy advisor for Greenpeace East Asia, described the announcement as a significant step towards decoupling China's climate targets from its economic growth. According to Yao, the introduction of a hard emissions cap represents a turning point in China's climate policy, as it allows for more definitive emissions reductions beyond 2030.

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Future Developments: Carbon Footprint of Products

In addition to these measures, China is also preparing to introduce a plan that will enhance the measurement of the carbon footprint of its products, set to take effect in 2027. This initiative will further align China’s manufacturing and industrial sectors with global sustainability standards, ensuring that products made in China meet the rising global demand for environmentally responsible goods.