At a press conference on November 27th, Xie Zhenhua, China’s special representative on climate change, presented the results of the government’s annual report “China’s Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change (2018)”. At the end of 2017, China’s carbon emission per unit of GDP has decreased by about 46% compared to 2005. That means that China has achieved its 2020 goal of reducing carbon intensity by 40% to 45% three years ahead of schedule. The carbon intensity target is both included in China’s current five-year plan and the country’s Copenhagen pledge. The target for forest stocks has already been exceeded, with an increase of 2.1 billion cubic meters compared to 2005 levels. The target is set at 1.3 billion cubic metres. Xie Zhenhua expects the third main target is to increase the share of non-fossil energy to 15% by 2020. By the end of last year, the share of non-fossil energy accounted for 13.8%. Read more
China establishes assessment system for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets
Jointly issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, this policy “Measures on Comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality”, establishes a formal assessment system for evaluating how provincial-level Party committees and governments implement China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality objectives.
The assessment work is coordinated centrally and implemented by the National Development and Reform Commission together with relevant departments. It applies to provincial-level Party committees and governments, including provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.