China has just announced its carbon dioxide emission reduction target for 2020

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This post was last edited by lthlycyj on 2009-12-3 at 21:25. China has just announced its carbon dioxide emission reduction targets for 2020. On November 26, 2009, at 8:30 p.m., the State Council Information Office held a press conference at which He Yafei, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Xie Zhenhua, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, presented China’s policies and actions to address climate change and answered journalists’ questions. [Reporter] Director Xie, first of all, when will China reach its peak in carbon dioxide emissions? Second, since China and many developing countries have now also set targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, what specific requirements does China have for developed countries in terms of carbon dioxide emission reduction? Xie Zhenhua: The issue of a peak in carbon dioxide emissions that you mentioned is actually closely related to the carbon intensity we are discussing now. If we intensify our efforts in energy conservation and emission reduction, as well as in the development of renewable energy sources and afforestation, the degree of reduction in carbon intensity will increase, and accordingly, a peak in emissions will occur. Given China’s current development situation, it is necessary to focus on immediate actions (such as improving energy efficiency and increasing forest carbon sinks) in order to significantly reduce our carbon emission intensity; this will lead to a peak in carbon dioxide emissions. We are currently conducting further analyses, and we hope that China will reach this peak at an earlier time. Xie Zhenhua: As you may have noticed, from the decision issued by the State Council today, it is clear that to achieve the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45% between 2005 and 2020, China will need to make tremendous efforts, as there are indeed many challenges. We must continue to work hard in this regard; the top priority is to successfully reduce carbon intensity. [Xie Zhenhua] With 10 days left until the Copenhagen conference, in accordance with the requirements of the Bali Action Plan as well as the provisions of the conventions and protocols, developed countries must take the lead in making significant reductions in emissions. They should announce their specific emission reduction targets before the Copenhagen meeting. So far, those countries that have announced such targets aim for a reduction of 16–23% compared to 1990 levels; this target is still quite far from the IPCC’s recommendation of a reduction of 25–40%. There is still a greater distance to go from the requirement set out in the development plans to achieve at least a 40% reduction in emissions. Therefore, we hope that developed countries **should take more proactive and concrete actions to reduce emissions on a large scale first. [AFP reporter] You just mentioned the issue of peak levels. I would like to ask that, in accordance with the decisions made at the State Council’s executive meeting, it is planned to reduce carbon dioxide emission intensity by 40-45% by 2020. So how much do China’s emissions still need to increase by that time? Xie Zhenhua] China has set targets for the period 2005–2020. Before these targets are achieved, we will conduct further research, and in the future, additional measures will be taken based on the situation regarding global climate change. Therefore, we are currently studying and discussing the issues that will arise after 2020. Xie Zhenhua] China is a developing country; we are faced with the task of developing our economy, lifting people out of poverty, and improving living standards, while at the same time dealing with the challenges of adapting to climate change and slowing down the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon intensity per unit of GDP that we emphasize at present is, overall, still a indicator for reducing emissions; such a decision was made taking into account the national conditions of a developing country. Xie Zhenhua] This means that as the economy grows, China’s total energy consumption is likely to increase as well, but this increase will be within reasonable limits; carbon dioxide emissions will also rise. We need to focus on the quality of our economy; relative emission reductions entail improving the quality of our economic growth. We do not want China’s development to repeat the traditional path of developed countries, characterized by high consumption, high emissions, and high pollution. Our approach is to avoid following that old path and instead pursue a route suited to China’s national conditions – one that allows us to maintain growth while keeping emissions at reasonable levels, and at the same time reduces the rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This is the core content and requirement of this Decision. [Christian Science Monitor reporter] When President Hu attended the UN General Assembly in New York in September, Director Xie also held a press conference during which he explained that China’s carbon dioxide emission intensity had decreased by 44% between 1990 and 2005. The new decision calls for a 40%-45% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in China. Why are the goals set for China in this new five-year period lower than those set for the previous five-year plan? Xie Zhenhua] China reduced its energy consumption per unit of GDP by 47% between 1990 and 2005. We have now decided to cut carbon intensity per unit of GDP by 40-45% between 2005 and 2020. Those who understand the laws of economic development know that it becomes increasingly difficult to improve energy efficiency and save energy over time. For example, to achieve these goals, we have phased out outdated production capacities; many factories in the steel, iron, coke, small-scale power generation, and cement industries were closed over the past three years. If we reduce emissions in areas where it’s easy to do so, as well as those where improving energy efficiency is straightforward, it will become increasingly difficult to make further progress in this regard in the future. It’s understandable that the challenges of saving energy and improving energy efficiency will grow greater over time. Therefore, although our goals now seem to be lower in terms of numerical targets compared to before, the difficulty level will be higher, and the costs involved will be greater as well. [German TV reporter] Is the 45% figure you mentioned internationally binding? Is China prepared to announce this figure at the Copenhagen conference and sign the relevant documents? Is the 45% figure internationally binding? Xie Zhenhua] The goals announced by China are voluntary and independent actions taken within our country. As required by the Bali Roadmap, developed countries must reduce emissions significantly, and this action is mandatory; developing countries, with the support of funds and technology from developed countries, should take actions and measures to address climate change based on their respective national conditions. In accordance with the requirements of the Convention and the mandates set out in the Bali Roadmap, China’s actions are entirely voluntary; domestically, they are binding, and we need to achieve this goal through statistics, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability. [Xie Zhenhua] The mitigation measures taken by China in the past did not receive financial support or technology transfer from the international community. However, based on our own national conditions, we implemented measures to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20%; this was a decision made in line with China’s own needs for sustainable development, and it has yielded positive results. Our current decision also does not receive support in terms of funding and technology from developed countries, but out of a sense of responsibility toward our own people as well as those around the world, we still need to take proactive actions. Our action is a voluntary one; it is a measure we have taken on our own initiative. This measure is binding within our country, but it cannot be considered binding internationally, as it is a voluntary action. In accordance with the requirements of the Convention and the Bali Roadmap, we still hope that developed countries will take action in this regard as soon as possible. As required by the Bali Roadmap, the targets and actions for emission reductions, financing, and technology transfer by developed countries are binding and subject to international verification. You might ask, why take action without financial and technical support? This reflects China’s own need for sustainable development, as well as the desire to protect the interests of all humanity; it also demonstrates our determination and confidence. [AP Reporter] Since you say this is an autonomous action that is not subject to international constraints, does that mean that if China wants to stop taking such actions, it can do so at any time? Xie Zhenhua: Your question is a bit strange. As I just mentioned, the goals set by China serve two purposes: firstly, they reflect the inherent requirements for sustainable and scientific development in China; secondly, they demonstrate our commitment to addressing climate change and taking responsibility for humanity. Although these are voluntary actions, they are binding within our country. At the same time, we need a series of systems for statistics, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability on an annual basis. Since we have made a decision, China keeps its word – we must see it through. Is it possible to achieve it? “The goal of reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20% during the 11th Five-Year Plan period is a very clear example; although there are difficulties, it is still achievable through our efforts. [Reporter from Weibo]: Just now you mentioned that the new goals set now are actually slightly lower than those of the past, or in other words, slightly lower than what would have been the case under normal circumstances. You mentioned that it might be very difficult to set higher goals as China’s economy develops. But there is one thing I particularly want to draw your attention to: Japan may be considered one of the countries with the highest energy efficiency in the world, but they have just raised their targets for reducing emissions this year. My question is whether a 45% target represents the limit? Could China renegotiate and re-discuss this goal at the Copenhagen conference? As you have repeatedly emphasized, China has always strived to achieve this goal in the interest of all of humanity. If other countries are willing to take on more responsibilities and provide China with financial and technical support, is it possible for China to revise this goal and raise it to a higher level? Xie Zhenhua: Your understanding might be incorrect; China’s goal is not lower, but higher. Why? Because it’s more difficult – the requirements placed on us, the measures that need to be taken, the costs involved, and the difficulty of implementation are all greater – so this goal isn’t lower; rather, it’s higher. In other words, as the host just told me, the difficulty factor is even higher; if understood from this perspective, it may be easier to figure out whether China’s goals are too low or too high. Xie Zhenhua: You just mentioned that if China receives financial and technical support, would our goals need to be adjusted? I think it will be very difficult to achieve this goal; at present we have to find ways to accomplish it on our own. If we can get support in the form of funds and technology from more developed countries, it will likely be possible to achieve this goal more easily and faster. Why is there a range for China’s target? Because it is difficult, we have to achieve it through our own efforts; if we receive financial and technical support, we might be able to do better and accomplish it more quickly. Xie Zhenhua] It was mentioned just now that some developed countries have raised their emission reduction targets set in the past. I am quite familiar with this aspect; indeed, the targets have been raised. The previous target referred to domestic net emissions reductions, while now the increase relates to the amount of credits purchased from abroad. Overall, so far, the emissions reduction levels achieved by developed countries are still quite far from the recommendations set by the IPCC and the requirements for development. That’s why we proposed in the negotiations that a ratio should be established between domestic emissions reductions and emissions credits purchased from abroad by developed countries. But currently, the developed countries are still unwilling to discuss this; therefore, when it comes to specifying exactly how much reduction is needed, their goals include not only domestic emissions cuts but also the use of carbon trading and carbon sinks. China’s goals are achieved solely by reducing carbon emissions resulting from energy consumption, without relying on carbon trading or carbon sinks. He Yafei: Let me add that I believe we cannot compare developing countries with developed countries in terms of climate change; such a comparison is not appropriate. Since the core principle of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, this principle exists precisely because developed and developing countries are at different stages of development and bear different historical responsibilities. Developed countries are subject to mandatory emission reduction targets, while developing countries take voluntary action to reduce emissions; it is inappropriate to mix these two aspects together for comparison.