Since the 1980’s China population and energy demand has steadily increased therefore the reliance on consumption of coal has been critically high with almost half of the world’s emissions been from China. China is both the largest importer and producer of coal. World Energy Council has stated that approximately 126 billion short tons of coal reserves in 2011 is being held by China, placing them third worldwide after the United States and Russia with an equivalency of 1.3% of the world’s total coal reserves”[1]. The Chinese government indicated a 3% fall in its coal industry consumption and production, making this the first in fourteen years, since its earlier nine per cent increase in 2013 after its was reported in 2012 for having approximately 4.4 billion short tons. These data corresponds with the economic downturn in its coal consumption industry and its tougher environmental sanctions recently imposed on high pollution and CO2 emissions in its energy industry including coal. [2]
China’s previous political climate represented non-transparency in dealing with energy policies, a shift in the leading political party has caused a major influence in adapting a greener energy outlook through the Chinese Communist Party with intentions of openness and improving the environment through policy development [3], negotiations at international bodies such IEA, unification with America made in COP21 and previously the Kyoto Protocol to reduce carbon emission. Chinas needs to increase its economic growth, saw a positive view within the international perspectives of China having a 13th Five-year Plan 10 of the 13 targets, revolved around, a greener sustainable environmental [5].
Further President Xi Jinping called for a sweeping energy revelation to tackle its pollution problem as coal burning is responsible for emission and air quality resulting in deadly smog, these issues saw the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan launch in September 2013 a joint 6 ministry task requiring fine particles decreasing by 25 % in 2017 from 2012 levels in Beijing-Tianjin- Hebei Region, resulting in a coal consumption reduction of 83 million tons by 2017[6] in this region and Shandong as the government clamp down on coal consumption.
With an estimated population of over 1.85 billion [7], China leads the rest of the world in not only its inhabitants but also its rapidly growing economy, Thus inevitably is its supremacy in the world energy market, with its leading- edge economy and vast industry it was no surprise that in 2011 China become the worlds leading power generator [8]. However recognising the importance of economic growth through reforms and laws [9] for a more greener energy outlook has come through the pledges of COP21 decreasing carbon emissions from 60-65% from 2005 levels to there pledges made in 2009 to the United National to invest in renewable energy such as wind, solar power, renewable technology etc[10]. Further recognising the economy can grow through sustainability by enhancing their land by planting forest, improving their transport system, import and export industry [11].
In 1998 the WHO reported a one million mortality rate in China as a result of a poverty induce country through toxic smog’s and air pollution causing health implications [12]. Since then China has taken drastic steps in social aspects to improve the lives of its people, through such agreement of COP21 by listening and catering to all areas of the land including rural areas, investing in time, needs, wants, jobs and other social benefits, while using open dialogues and communication to better communities, away from crime and unemployment and illiteracy.
With its dominance in the energy world China needed an efficient advantage to achieve the pledge of emission reduction with coal accounting for 72% of its energy structure and 40% of households [13]; thus China developed a Clean Coal Technology to reduce acid rain caused by coal combustion improving coal deficiency while being able to use the vast amount of coal accessible [14]. CCT comprises of 18 technologies but faces limitations in the laws with no policies being made to develop the technology, failures in coordinating among the different government institutions and department. However examples from countries such as US in CAA programs and Japanese New Sunshine Program [14], the Chinese’s governments can accomplish their 2020 pledge of reducing carbon emission by enhancing their CCT technology.
Using the law to enforce policies and pledges for a lower emission globally and domestically is a necessity to China accomplishing any of its environmental goals, through time the world has seen China transitioned from a close tight lip policy to such pledges as NEA, NRDC, NEC, ministry of Land, Commence, Environment and the Oceanic administration all with the aim of lowering Carbon emission. The Draft Tax Law known a the carbon tax was issued in 2013 however it is unclear if this is even possible as the ETS areas that are covered will have to be excluded from the carbon tax to avoid overlapping.
Through global concerns on pollution and carbon emission came a development in China’s role to affect reduced emission as a consequence of the china emitting 27% of the world global emission [15] leading to domestic air pollution and affecting the health and increasing death rate. China has made strives in its plan by implementing 12 th Five year Plan which saw a successful energy intensity fell by 18.2 per cent and carbon intensity decline by 20 per cent between 2011 to 2015, giving hope to 13th Five year Plan in achieving its goal with factors of slow economic growth and a decline in heavy industry. With further encouragements from Xie Zhenhua who in Hong Kong assured the audience that its 2020 targets will be met, with 50 per cent of carbon intensity below 2005 levels [16]. COP 21 saw 195 countries with agreed intentions of having temperatures globally rise below 2 degrees Celsius. This target largely depended on China keeping to their pledge, as they are the highest-level of greenhouse gas producers in the world. At present the pledges made are not enough to keep below 2 degree Celsius target, in retrospect China’s pledge will depend on national objective example energy use and developments within the next 5 years. In March 2016 China 13th Five year Plan was approved by the NPC at the domestic negotiations, this plan outlines China’s economic targets within its cities and provinces.
Disappointingly, this 13th Five-year Plan as well as COP 21 has both failed to have temperatures globally below 2 degrees Celsius. Positively this offers a reassurance that China the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter of CO2 is taking a greener more sustainable approach, through research, development and finally producing technology that are low carbon, using its large production force China can produce low price goods of solar panel restructuring it aim in being the leading export in low carbon technology. With low carbon technology China can fight to reduce its 6 per cent GDP yearly in its pollution fight and its domestic and government validity, which contributes to the success of pledges made to COP21.
The implementations of China and Paris pledges both domestic and international left a promising vibe that China will fulfil its INDC pledges with the possibility of emission peaking as early as 2025 five year ahead of its original 2030 schedule, with 60 % of total energy needs being supplied including transportation, and 85 % of it electricity supple from renewables 2050.
Political and economic limitations that China faces through fighting off propaganda to the regime known as the Chinese Communist Party has implemented 5 concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, opening and sharing with the aim of to improve the environment, energy efficient and development of China industry which is very encouraging As in the 13th Five year Plan 10 of the 13 targets, revolved around, a greener sustainable environmental. With targets to decrease energy intensity by 15% in 2015 and energy carbon by 18% by 2015 capping energy consumption at 5 billion tonnes of coal which would allow China to surpass its 2020 goal of achieving a 45 per cent carbon intensity reduction.
Under the 13th Five year Plan an estimated 1.3 million jobs is expected to be cut reported in December 2015, with plans to close 1000 coal mine and suspend new approved coalmines until 2019, giving hopes of meeting the 80 per cent energy needs from non-fossil sources from 2050.
In comparison to its 12 th Five year Plan which saw a successful energy intensity fell by 18.2 per cent and carbon intensity decline by 20 per cent between 2011 to 2015, certainly gives hope to 13th Five year Plan achieving its goal especially with the factors of slow economic growth and a decline in heavy industry. With encouragements from Xie Zhenhua while in Hong Kong he showed confidence in 2020 targets will be met, with 50 per cent of carbon intensity below 2005 levels and 2030 emissions targets being reached with carbon intensity being cut by 60-65 per cent from 2005 levels, with a 4.1 trillion Chinese Yuan Renminbi investment in sustainable, greener low carbon industries creating 69 million new jobs.
Arguably the past 10 years has seen China actively aim to reduce carbon emission, recognising that the are the worlds largest green house emitter a number of pledges were made by the INDC with China’s Commitment by 2030 including, peaking of CO2 emission by 2030, increasing non fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 20 %, increasing forest stock volume by around 4.5 billion cubic metre on 2005 levels etc.
In order to achieve its goals china has plans to launch a nation emission trading system implementing a green system to lower carbon sources with 20 billion yuan fund to support developing countries fight against climate change.
China’s 2030 pledges and COP 21 pledges are viewed as ambitions with the second largest cost of GDP of all the counties modelled, but has an incentive to delivery because of its energy security driven by growing energy demand, a coal dominated energy sector. Launching in 2012-2014 a EST pilot covering seven energy intensive regions in China second only to European EST, designed to cover 10 % of the national total emission. Its success paved the way to a national ETS in 2017 with research still being acquire by local and central government on the best was a national system pilot is to be used.
While it is very clear of efforts made, China will not be able to achieve its promise to reduce emission, applauding in its efforts of supporting countries in coming together to ensure the are building a greener sustainable world, and transition itself from safeguarding a certainty of supply to a future of focusing on the maximization of demand and environmental advancements.