Situation and measures of China＇s CO2 emission mitigation after the Paris Agreement

Global response to climate change has entered the phase of full implementation of the Paris Agreement. To control the global temperature rise below 2℃, all countries must make more efforts to reduce emission. China has combined its goal of emission reduction for combating climate change with its domestic sustainable development strategy to promote energy revolution and the transition of economic development to low-carbon pat- terns. Through reinforcing the commitment and action before 2020, the CO2 intensity of GDP can decrease by more than 50% by 2020 compared with that of 2005, and the external commitment target of a 40%-45% decrease can be over fulfilled. Currently, under the new economic normal, China further strengthens the policy measure, vigorously saves energy, enhances energy use efficiency and the economic output benefit, and simultaneously develops new and renewable energy and accelerates energy structural decarbonization, so that the annual decrease rate of the CO2 intensity of GDP keeps a high level of more than 4% and remains increasing. Thus, the decrease rate of the CO2 intensity of GDP will exceed the GDP growth rate, and then CO2 emission will peak around 2030. This will promote the fundamental turning of economic development mode, and lay a foundation for the establishment of a sustainable energy system with near- zero emissions and with new and renewable energy as the main body in the second half of this century. China implements the concept of green low-carbon development and accelerates the low carbon transition of energy and economy to achieve win-win results in economic growth and CO2 emission mitigation, and these policies and actions will also provide experiences for many other developing countries. On the other hand, China will continue to play a positive and constructive leading role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement internationally, and promote the construction of new mechanisms of win- win cooperation, fairness and justice and common development for global climate governance. Moreover, China will make an effort to build a community of common destiny for mankind, promote pragmatic coopera- tion among countries, especially among developing countries, and take combating climate change as a new development opportunity for jointly moving toward climate-friendly low-carbon economic development path.

The post-Paris approach to mitigating Arctic warming——perspectives from shipping emissions reduction

The availability of increased Arctic shipping as a consequence of sea ice decline is a regional issue that is closely linked with international climate governance and global governance of the maritime industry. Sea ice decline creates favorable circumstances for the development of merchant shipping, but is accompanied by increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry is of utmost importance to prevent the destruction of the fragile Arctic ecosystem. This paper focuses on the core content of the Paris Agreement and suggests that the International Maritime Organization could guide the shipping industry to reach a fair agreement with states that includes market-based measures, capacity building, and voluntary actions of shipping companies as non-state actors.

China and the United States’ Critical Roles in Tackling Climate Change and Shaping the International Regimes

This paper argues that major powers can play critical roles in a complicated regime system,as evidenced by China and the U.S.which have had pivotal influence in the construction of the post-2020 climate regime.China and the U.S.have participated in multilateral consultations beyond the scope of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)while making use of many political platforms,such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC),G20,and informal meetings and dialogues to bridge the gap among various approaches to mitigating climate impacts.China-U.S.bilateral cooperation has incorporated energy and climate issues into the strategic and economic dialogue(S&ED)and launched other schemes,such as EcoPartnerships and wide-ranging dialogues and initiatives on clean energy/clean vehicles.These schemes support the reconciliation of ideas related to domestic abatement policies in the areas of energy,climate change,and environmental protection.Since the Trump administration came to power in 2017,the bilateral cooperation at national level has been retreated significantly and therefore slowdown the UN’s institutional response to climate change.At the stage,the U.S.may not be able to play a critical role in shaping the regime,yet China is regarded to be the most important player in negotiations under the Paris Agreement.

Towards carbon neutrality:A study on China's long-term low-carbon transition pathways and strategies

As the world's biggest carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emitter and the largest developing country,China faces daunting challenges to peak its emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality within 40 years.This study fully considered the carbon-neutrality goal and the temperature rise constraints required by the Paris Agreement,by developing six long-term development scenarios,and conducting a quantitative evaluation on the carbon emissions pathways,energy transformation,technology,policy and investment demand for each scenario.This study combined both bottom-up and top-down methodologies,including simulations and analyses of energy consumption of end-use and power sectors(bottom-up),as well as scenario analysis,investment demand and technology evaluation at the macro level(top-down).This study demonstrates that achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 translates to significant efforts and overwhelming challenges for China.To comply with the target,a high rate of an average annual reduction of CO_(2) emissions by 9.3%from 2030 to 2050 is a necessity,which requires a huge investment demand.For example,in the 1.5℃ scenario,an investment in energy infrastructure alone equivalent to 2.6%of that year's GDP will be necessary.The technological pathway towards carbon neutrality will rely highly on both conventional emission reduction technologies and breakthrough technologies.China needs to balance a long-term development strategy of lower greenhouse gas emissions that meets both the Paris Agreement and the long-term goals for domestic economic and social development,with a phased implementation for both its five-year and long-term plans.