This week, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council introduced new guidelines aimed at accelerating the nationâs transition to a more environmentally friendly society. These guidelines focus on critical economic and social development areas, setting specific goals to foster a greener, low-carbon economy, particularly within the industrial and energy sectors.
Beijingâs ambitious plan seeks to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This monumental commitment not only paves the way for a sustainable and resilient economic model but also positions China as a potential leader influencing global environmental policies.
China's energy consumption remains a pivotal aspect of its green transition. According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), the countryâs installed power generation capacity reached 2.92 billion kilowatts by the end of 2023. Despite this, fossil fuels like coal still accounted for 56.2 percent of the total energy consumption in 2022, while renewables, including nuclear power, comprised only 25.9 percent. This highlights the urgent need for a shift toward more sustainable energy sources.
The nationâs rapidly growing economy, driven by industrialization and urbanization, has led to a nearly 20 percent increase in energy supply since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Renewable energy production is expected to surge to meet the rising energy demands, potentially reshaping the global energy market.
In recent years, China has heavily invested in renewable energy infrastructure, including extensive wind and solar power plants in the northwest and hydroelectric stations. Currently, non-fossil energy capacity surpasses fossil fuel capacity, making up 50.9 percent of the total installed capacity.
Alongside increasing energy generation, China is focusing on generating more GDP with less energy. Innovative energy-saving technologies have led to a reduction in energy consumption per unit of GDP by over 26 percent since 2012, and carbon emissions intensity per unit of GDP has decreased by more than 35 percent.
Beijing is also prioritizing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and expanding charging infrastructure to combat urban pollution. In July, sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs), including battery-only and hybrid cars, rose to 879,000 units, accounting for 50.8 percent of total vehicle sales. This exceeds the 36 percent penetration rate from the previous year and outpaces indicators in developed countries, such as the United States, which recorded an 18 percent penetration rate in the first quarter of this year. Just three years ago, NEV sales made up only 7 percent of total car sales in China, showcasing the remarkable progress in green transportation.
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China's commitment to green transition has become more ambitious
cgtn.com
