China’s emissions fell short of the 2024 target, raising concerns about achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Despite progress in renewable energy, the country faces challenges in reducing carbon intensity while meeting economic growth demands. The CCP’s upcoming emissions guidelines will play a crucial role in future climate strategies.
China has fallen short of its emissions target, a situation that raises significant concerns regarding its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. In 2024, China’s carbon intensity, defined as carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP), decreased by only 3.4%, missing the official goal of 3.9% set by the National Bureau of Statistics. This setback is compounded by the country’s failure to meet its longer-term aim of reducing carbon intensity by 18% between 2020 and 2025, as per the latest five-year plan established by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
President Xi Jinping has committed to reaching peak emissions by the end of the decade and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060, making China’s performance crucial to global climate initiatives. As the world’s largest emitter, accountable for 30% of global emissions, China’s progress is of paramount interest globally. Its ability to meet these targets will significantly influence international efforts to maintain temperature rises within 1.5 degrees Celsius, a threshold endorsed by the United Nations to prevent catastrophic climate effects.
Moreover, the context of rising global temperatures has become alarming, as 2024 marked the first year in history when temperatures surpassed the global warming limit. Muyi Yang, a senior analyst at Ember, highlighted that while the economy continues to grow, reducing emissions in proportion to GDP has not been as rapid as anticipated. China’s economic growth, officially pegged at 5% in 2024, led to an alarming increase in electricity demand and carbon emissions, further complicating emission reduction efforts amid record heatwaves impacting energy production.
Notwithstanding these challenges, China has achieved remarkable progress in renewable energy. Last year, 14.5% of its energy needs were met through wind and solar power, supplemented by 13.4% from hydropower. Renewable sources accounted for approximately 75% of the 500 terawatt hours in incremental energy demand growth, a feat comparable to Germany’s annual energy consumption. Government backing, particularly from the CCP, has been instrumental in this impressive surge of clean energy.
Xi Jinping’s directive emphasizes the country’s commitment to an ecological civilization, with a pledge to eliminate high energy-consuming, high-emission projects. The launch of the world’s largest carbon trading market in 2021 serves as a tool for firms to trade unutilized emission allowances, further motivating emission reduction. Transitioning toward innovation-driven manufacturing, as called for by Xi Jinping, signifies a notable shift in focus towards greener growth initiatives.
Anticipation is building regarding the CCP’s future emissions targets for 2026-2030, which will inform the direction for both public and private sectors in addressing carbon emissions. While reaching peak carbon before 2030 appears feasible, experts recognize the uncertainty surrounding a complete transition away from coal. Yao Zhe from Greenpeace East Asia states that achieving carbon neutrality necessitates profound changes within China’s energy sector, emphasizing the urgency for immediate reforms following the peak.
In summary, China’s failure to meet its emissions targets for 2024 has intensified scrutiny of its climate policies, particularly given its significant contribution to global emissions. Despite notable advancements in renewable energy, the country faces considerable challenges, including rising energy demand and reliance on coal. The upcoming emissions targets will be pivotal in shaping the future of China’s climate commitments and its role in global climate change mitigation efforts.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
