greenhouse gas emissions by China

{{short description|Emissions of gases harmful to the climate from China}}

{{About|greenhouse gas emissions by China, and their mitigation|everything else related to climate change in China|Climate change in China}}

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| image1 = 20210703 Variwide chart of greenhouse gas emissions per capita by country (includes OTHER).svg

| caption1 = China{{As of?|date=January 2025}} has the most total annual emissions (area of rectangle) of any nation, and has higher than average per capita emissions.● Emissions data source: {{cite web |title=Territorial (MtCO₂) / 1) Emissions / Carbon emissions / Chart View |url=https://globalcarbonatlas.org/emissions/carbon-emissions/ |date=2024 |publisher=Global Carbon Atlas }} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20250113130608/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co2-emissions-per-country archive on Our World in Data])
● Country population data source: {{cite web |title=Population, total / All Countries and Economies / Most Recent Value (Thousands) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?end=2023&most_recent_value_desc=true&start=1960&view=chart |publisher=World Bank |date=2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250122171803/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?end=2023&most_recent_value_desc=true&start=1960&view=chart |archive-date=22 January 2025 |url-status=live}}

| image2 = 20220712 Global economic damage due to greenhouse gas emissions - by country.svg

| caption2 = Cumulatively over time, China is the second-largest contributor nation to global economic damage from emissions, following the U.S.Chart based on: {{cite news |last1=Milman |first1=Oliver |title=Nearly $2tn of damage inflicted on other countries by US emissions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/12/us-carbon-emissions-greenhouse-gases-climate-crisis |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712091602/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/12/us-carbon-emissions-greenhouse-gases-climate-crisis |archive-date=12 July 2022 |url-status=live }} Guardian cites {{cite journal |last1=Callahan |first1=Christopher W. |last2=Mankin |first2=Justin S. |title=National attribution of historical climate damages |journal=Climatic Change |date=12 July 2022 |volume=172 |issue=40 |page=40 |doi=10.1007/s10584-022-03387-y |bibcode=2022ClCh..172...40C |s2cid=250430339 |doi-access=free }}

}}

The total greenhouse gas emissions of the People's Republic of China are the world's highest, accounting for 35% of the world's total according to the International Energy Agency. The country's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are the 34th highest of any country, as of 2023.

When measuring production-based emissions, China emitted over 12.6 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases in 2023, 35% of the world total.{{cite web |author= |date=6 May 2021 |title=China's Emissions Now Exceed All the Developed World's Combined |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-06/china-s-emissions-now-exceed-all-the-developed-world-s-combined |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101202710/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-06/china-s-emissions-now-exceed-all-the-developed-world-s-combined |archive-date=2021-11-01 |access-date=2021-11-01 |website=Bloomberg News}}{{Cite web |title={{CO2}} Emissions: China - 2020 |url=https://climatetrace.org/inventory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112122206/https://climatetrace.org/inventory |archive-date=2021-11-12 |access-date=2021-09-27 |website=Climate TRACE |language=en}} When measuring in consumption-based terms, which adds emissions associated with imported goods and extracts those associated with exported goods, China accounted for 13 gigatonnes (Gt) or 25% of global emissions in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://rhg.com/research/chinas-emissions-surpass-developed-countries/ |title=China's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Exceeded the Developed World for the First Time in 2019 |website=Rhodium Group |date=6 May 2021 |first1=Kate |last1=Larsen |first2=Hannah |last2=Pitt |access-date=1 November 2021 |archive-date=17 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617173916/https://rhg.com/research/chinas-emissions-surpass-developed-countries/ |url-status=live }}

Greenhouse gas emissions stem mainly from coal burning, including coal power, coal mining, and blast furnaces producing iron and steel.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-20 |title=Analysis: China's carbon emissions grow at fastest rate for more than a decade |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-carbon-emissions-grow-at-fastest-rate-for-more-than-a-decade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727223555/https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-carbon-emissions-grow-at-fastest-rate-for-more-than-a-decade |archive-date=2021-07-27 |access-date=2021-07-07 |website=Carbon Brief |language=en}} 79% of CO2 emissions are from the burning of coal.{{Cite web |title=China - Countries & Regions |url=https://www.iea.org/countries/china/emissions |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}} According to the Carbon Majors Database, Chinese state coal production alone accounts for 14% of historical global emissions. In 2024, China's total historical greenhouse gas emissions surpassed those of the European Union (EU), but trail those of the United States.{{Cite news |last1=Plumer |first1=Brad |last2=Rojanasakul |first2=Mira |date=2024-11-19 |title=How China's Rising Emissions Could Change Global Climate Politics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/19/climate/china-emissions-fossil-fuels-climate.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

{{As of|2019}}, the country's greenhouse gas emissions exceeded the combined emissions of the developed world.{{Cite news |date=2021-05-07 |title=Report: China emissions exceed all developed nations combined |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57018837 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525030130/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57018837 |archive-date=2021-05-25 |access-date=2021-05-07 |work=BBC News}} China's per capita emissions correspond to over 10.1 tonnes CO2eq emitted per person each year, over the world average and the EU average but lower than the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the United States, with its 17.6 tonnes per person, according to a 2021 analysis by the Rhodium Group.{{Update inline|date=September 2024}} Analysis by Our World in Data also puts China's per capita emissions at over the world and EU averages but less than averages in Australia, Canada, and the U.S.{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |author-link1=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser |first2=Max |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=2020-05-11 |title=CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/co2/country/china |journal=Our World in Data |access-date=2024-09-09 |archive-date=2024-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816115341/https://ourworldindata.org/co2/country/china |url-status=live }} Accounting for historic emissions, all OECD countries together produced four times more CO2 in cumulative emissions than China, due to developed countries' earlier start in industrialization. Overall, China is a net exporter of greenhouse emissions.{{cite web |last=Ritchie |first=Hannah |author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |date=7 October 2019 |title=How do {{CO2}} emissions compare when we adjust for trade? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/consumption-based-co2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612144239/https://ourworldindata.org/consumption-based-co2 |archive-date=12 June 2023 |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=Our World in Data}}

The targets laid out in China's nationally determined contribution at the Paris Agreement in 2016 will likely be met, but are not enough to combat global warming.{{Cite news |date=2019-09-19 |title=To prevent catastrophic global warming, China must hang tough |url=https://www.economist.com/china/2019/09/19/to-prevent-catastrophic-global-warming-china-must-hang-tough |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004022230/https://www.economist.com/china/2019/09/19/to-prevent-catastrophic-global-warming-china-must-hang-tough |archive-date=2019-10-04 |access-date=2019-10-04 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}{{Update inline|date=September 2024}} China has committed to peak emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2060.{{Cite news |title=China aims to cut its net carbon-dioxide emissions to zero by 2060 |url=https://www.economist.com/china/2020/09/24/china-aims-to-cut-its-net-carbon-dioxide-emissions-to-zero-by-2060 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729040423/https://www.economist.com/china/2020/09/24/china-aims-to-cut-its-net-carbon-dioxide-emissions-to-zero-by-2060 |archive-date=2021-07-29 |access-date=2020-09-29 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}} China continues to build coal-fired power stations in 2020 and promised to "phase down" coal use from 2026.{{Cite news |date=2021-08-08 |title=Why China's climate policy matters to us all |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57483492 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312113138/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57483492 |archive-date=2022-03-12 |access-date=2021-10-03 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} According to various analysis, China is estimated to overachieve its renewable energy capacity and emission reduction goals early, but long-term plans are still required to combat the global climate change and meeting the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets.{{cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=China on Track to Blow Past Xi's Clean Power Goal Five Years Early |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-28/china-s-solar-wind-build-to-crush-target-global-energy-monitor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704231232/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-28/china-s-solar-wind-build-to-crush-target-global-energy-monitor |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-07-18 |work=Bloomberg News}}{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=China's {{CO2}} emissions fall but policies still not aligned with long-term goals |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/chinas-co2-emissions-down-since-2021-still-not-peak-report-2022-11-21/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011120610/https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/chinas-co2-emissions-down-since-2021-still-not-peak-report-2022-11-21/ |archive-date=2023-10-11 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Reuters}}{{cite web |title=China Climate Action |url=https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/china/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515121847/https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/china/ |archive-date=2021-05-15 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Climate Action Tracker}}

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Overall data

File:Greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-gas (5).png

File:Total CO2 by Region.svgSince 2006, China has been the world's largest emitter of {{CO2}} annually. As of 2023, it had the 34th highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita.{{cite book |author=Crippa, M.; Guizzardi, D.; Pagani, F.; Banja, M.; Muntean, M.; Schaaf, E.; Monforti-Ferrario, F.; Becker, W.E.; Quadrelli, R.; Risquez Martin, A.; Taghavi-Moharamli, P.; Köykkä, J.; Grassi, G.; Rossi, S.; Melo, J.; Oom, D.; Branco, A.; San-Miguel, J.; Manca, G.; Pisoni, E.; Vignati, E.; Pekar, F. |year=2024 |title=GHG emissions of all world countries – 2024 |url=https://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/report_2024?vis=co2tot#data_download |access-date=2024-09-23 |publisher=Publications Office of the European Union |doi=10.2760/4002897 |location=Luxembourg|isbn=978-92-68-20572-3 }} In 2023, China produced 35% of global {{CO2}} emissions, according to the International Energy Agency.{{Cite web |title=The changing landscape of global emissions – CO2 Emissions in 2023 – Analysis |url=https://origin.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2023/the-changing-landscape-of-global-emissions |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=International Energy Agency |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822160640/https://origin.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2023/the-changing-landscape-of-global-emissions |url-status=live }} According to estimates provided by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, China's carbon dioxide emissions in 2006 amounted to 6.2 billion tons, and the United States' co-production in the same year was 5.8 billion tons. In 2006, China's carbon dioxide emissions were 8 percent higher than America's, the agency said.{{Cite web |title=China now no. 1 in {{CO2}} emissions; USA in second position |url=http://www.pbl.nl/en/dossiers/Climatechange/Chinanowno1inCO2emissionsUSAinsecondposition |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709191743/https://www.pbl.nl/en/dossiers/Climatechange/Chinanowno1inCO2emissionsUSAinsecondposition |archive-date=2019-07-09 |access-date=2019-09-27 |website=PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency}}File:Per Capita CO2 by Region.svgIn 2019, China is estimated to have emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases, followed by the US with 11%, then India with 6.6%. By 2020, China produced 64% to 66% of global emissions for the two potent greenhouse gases of tetrafluoromethane and hexafluoroethane, according to a study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.{{Cite news |last=McNally |first=Ellen |date=2024-07-15 |title=China's emissions of two potent greenhouse gases rise 78% in decade |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/15/chinas-emissions-of-two-potent-greenhouse-gases-rise-78-in-decade |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2024-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822160805/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/15/chinas-emissions-of-two-potent-greenhouse-gases-rise-78-in-decade |url-status=live }}

= Impact of 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak =

{{Further|COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China}}

A temporary slowdown in manufacturing, construction, transportation, and overall economic activity during the beginning of the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak reduced China's greenhouse gas emissions by "about a quarter," as reported in February 2020.{{Cite web |last=Myllyvirta |first=Lauri |date=2020-02-19 |title=Analysis: Coronavirus has temporarily reduced China's {{CO2}} emissions by a quarter |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-coronavirus-has-temporarily-reduced-chinas-co2-emissions-by-a-quarter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304082845/https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-coronavirus-has-temporarily-reduced-chinas-co2-emissions-by-a-quarter |archive-date=2020-03-04 |access-date=2020-03-07 |website=Carbon Brief |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Aronoff |first=Kate |date=2020-02-20 |title=The Coronavirus's Lesson for Climate Change |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/156626/coronaviruss-lesson-climate-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307074026/https://newrepublic.com/article/156626/coronaviruss-lesson-climate-change |archive-date=2020-03-07 |access-date=2020-03-07 |magazine=The New Republic |issn=0028-6583}} Nonetheless, for the year April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021, China's {{CO2}} emissions reached a record high: nearly 12 billion metric tons. Additionally, China's carbon emissions during the first quarter of 2021 were higher than in the first quarters of both 2019 and 2020.{{Cite web |last=He |first=Laura |date=21 May 2021 |title=China's construction boom is sending {{CO2}} emissions through the roof |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/21/economy/china-co2-emissions-construction-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521133638/https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/21/economy/china-co2-emissions-construction-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=2021-05-21 |access-date=2021-05-21 |website=CNN}} Temporary reductions in carbon emissions due to lockdowns and initial economic relief efforts have limited long-term consequences, while the future direction of fiscal stimulus plays a more significant role in influencing long-term carbon emissions.{{cite journal |last1=Shao |first1=Shuai |last2=Wang |first2=Chang |last3=Feng |first3=Kuo |last4=Guo |first4=Yue |last5=Feng |first5=Fan |last6=Shan |first6=Yuli |last7=Meng |first7=Jing |last8=Chen |first8=Shiyi |date=May 2022 |title=How do China's lockdown and post-COVID-19 stimuli impact carbon emissions and economic output? Retrospective estimates and prospective trajectories |journal=iScience |volume=25 |issue=5 |pages=2 |bibcode=2022iSci...25j4328S |doi=10.1016/j.isci.2022.104328 |issn=2589-0042 |pmc=9118742 |pmid=35602942}}

Emissions by sources

= Energy production =

{{See also|Coal power in China}}

According to the Carbon Majors Database, Chinese state coal production accounts for 14% of historic global emissions, more than double the proportion of the former Soviet Union.{{Cite news |last=Watts |first=Jonathan |date=2024-04-03 |title=Just 57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/just-57-companies-linked-to-80-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-since-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602001407/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/just-57-companies-linked-to-80-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-since-2016 |archive-date=2024-06-02 |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |quote=Chinese state coal production accounts for 14% of historic global C02, the biggest share by far in the database. This is more than double the proportion of the former Soviet Union, which is in second place, and more than three times higher than that of Saudi Aramco, which is in third.}}

Power is estimated as the largest emitter, with 27% of greenhouse gases produced in 2020 generated by the power sector. Most electricity in China comes from coal, which accounted for 65% of the electricity generation mix in 2019. Electricity generation by renewables has been increasing, with the construction of wind and solar plants doubling from 2019 to 2020.{{Cite news |date=2021-01-21 |title=China doubles new renewable capacity in 2020; still builds thermal plants |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-energy-climatechange-idUSKBN29Q0JT |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511122735/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-energy-climatechange-idUSKBN29Q0JT |archive-date=2022-05-11 |access-date=2023-02-23 |work=Reuters |language=en}}

According to Natural Resources Defense Council, the Chinese power sector is estimated to hit the carbon emission peak around 2029.{{cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Jake |date=18 January 2022 |title=China's Top Industries Can Peak Collective Emissions in 2025 |url=https://www.nrdc.org/bio/jake-schmidt/chinas-top-industries-can-peak-collective-emissions-2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718074321/https://www.nrdc.org/bio/jake-schmidt/chinas-top-industries-can-peak-collective-emissions-2025 |archive-date=18 July 2023 |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=Natural Resources Defense Council}}

class="wikitable"

|+Evolution of CO2 emissions by sector in China, 2000 - 2021{{Cite web |title=China - Countries & Regions |url=https://www.iea.org/countries/china/emissions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427112457/https://www.iea.org/countries/china/emissions |archive-date=2024-04-27 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=International Energy Agency |language=en-GB}}

align="center" style="background:#FAFAD2;"

|

|Electricity and heat producers

|Industry

|Transport

|Residential

|Commercial and public services

|Agriculture

|Unspecified Final Consumption

|Other energy industries

2000

|1426.85

|904.045

|248.48

|216.849

|57.268

|47.992

|47.512

|148.356

2001

|1506.574

|958.838

|254.25

|216.959

|60.767

|51.397

|50.102

|154.574

2002

|1686.007

|996.753

|276.444

|220.345

|63.26

|56.62

|55.03

|154.476

2003

|1996.101

|1136.149

|313.144

|237.802

|70.678

|64.753

|64.277

|182.587

2004

|2203.919

|1497.944

|371.136

|265.471

|87.1

|73.844

|67.972

|172.197

2005

|2373.239

|1935.745

|397.312

|273.592

|91.868

|83.689

|72.48

|179.468

2006

|2686.187

|2083.31

|434.811

|285.571

|98.547

|87.65

|73.249

|212.467

2007

|2930.614

|2274.395

|468.576

|291.352

|106.923

|84.966

|75.95

|240.48

2008

|2961.79

|2409.719

|507.067

|278.806

|104.442

|81.955

|78.504

|246.683

2009

|3143.741

|2601.242

|517.074

|281.312

|110.345

|84.198

|81.099

|311.912

2010

|3477.506

|2844.073

|568.779

|297.63

|118.769

|88.047

|81.307

|354.473

2011

|3954.71

|3004.769

|621.89

|309.302

|131.414

|92.084

|85.456

|369.403

2012

|4076.159

|3042.033

|686.126

|316.37

|140.844

|95.651

|90.286

|374.573

2013

|4347.397

|3068.123

|741.094

|329.858

|146.711

|103.245

|95.234

|395.549

2014

|4389.763

|3094.686

|770.35

|344.191

|142.556

|104.955

|92.268

|299.69

2015

|4266.271

|2995.88

|828.462

|364.732

|150.115

|108.81

|93.217

|327.493

2016

|4410.465

|2859.402

|845.356

|374.069

|149.073

|111.932

|89.865

|287.538

2017

|4705.733

|2696.33

|877.815

|384.552

|145.497

|114.409

|78.904

|329.597

2018

|5071.184

|2790.824

|950.956

|360.327

|133.548

|105.085

|66.921

|309.918

2019

|5238.13

|2795.073

|944.372

|332.787

|127.773

|101.416

|57.667

|352.331

2020

|5376.577

|2852.616

|901.961

|338.289

|116.773

|102.119

|56.31

|308.675

2021

|5943.08

|2832.322

|969.447

|332.81

|112.121

|99.358

|46.885

|312.513

= Energy consumption =

According to the 2016 Chinese Statistical Yearbook published by China's National Bureau of Statistics, China's energy consumption was 430,000 (10,000 tons of Standard Coal Equivalent), including 64% coal, 18.1% crude oil, 5.9% natural gas, 12.0% primary electricity, and other energy. Since 2011, the percentage of coal has decreased, and the percentage of crude oil, natural gas, primary electricity, and other energy have increased.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2016/indexeh.htm|title=China Statistical Yearbook-2016|website=www.stats.gov.cn|access-date=2018-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418121010/http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2016/indexeh.htm|archive-date=2018-04-18|url-status=live}}

China experienced an increase in electricity demand and usage in 2017 as the economy accelerated.{{Cite news|url=https://chinaenergyportal.org/2017-electricity-energy-statistics/|title=2017 electricity & other energy statistics {{!}} China Energy Portal {{!}} 中国能源门户|date=2018-02-06|work=China Energy Portal {{!}} 中国能源门户|access-date=2018-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063821/https://chinaenergyportal.org/2017-electricity-energy-statistics/|archive-date=2018-04-15|url-status=live}} According to the Climate Data Explorer published by World Resources Institute, China, the European Union, and the U.S. contributed to more than 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tanpaifang.com/tanjiliang/2017/0508/59289.html|title=全球温室气体排放数据(最新版)_中国碳排放交易网|website=www.tanpaifang.com|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135210/http://www.tanpaifang.com/tanjiliang/2017/0508/59289.html|archive-date=2018-04-10|url-status=live}} In 2016, China's greenhouse gas emissions accounted for 26% of total global emissions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/publicaties/pbl-2017-trends-in-global-co2-and-total-greenhouse-gas-emissons-2017-report_2674.pdf|title=Trends in global {{CO2}} and total greenhouse gas emissions: 2017 Report|last1=Olivier|last2=Schure|last3=Peters|first1=J.G.J.|first2=K.M.|first3=J.A.H.W.|date=2017|website=PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency|access-date=2019-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519002354/https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/publicaties/pbl-2017-trends-in-global-co2-and-total-greenhouse-gas-emissons-2017-report_2674.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-19|url-status=live}} The energy industry has been the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions since the last decade.

= Industry =

{{Expand section|date=August 2021}}

In terms of industrial production, China creates 1.26 Gt of greenhouse gases in 2020 and, judging by Climate Watch's chart, there is no downward trend at all. Industrial production accounts for 22.76% of all China's GHG emissions in the latest Climate TRACE data for 2022.

== Cement ==

Cement is estimated to be 15% of emissions but only a tenth of companies are reporting data as of 2021.{{Cite journal |date=2021-09-28 |title=Concrete needs to lose its colossal carbon footprint |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02612-5 |url-status=live |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=597 |issue=7878 |pages=593–594 |bibcode=2021Natur.597..593. |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-02612-5 |pmid=34584258 |s2cid=238218462 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003143334/https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02612-5 |archive-date=2021-10-03 |access-date=2021-10-03}}

== Iron and steel ==

Steel is estimated at 15% to 20% of emissions and consolidation of the industry may help.{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-09-07 |title=Analysis: China's steel industry consolidation gathers pace, to aid output and emission cuts |url=https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/090721-analysis-chinas-steel-industry-consolidation-gathers-pace-to-aid-output-and-emission-cuts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003143811/https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/090721-analysis-chinas-steel-industry-consolidation-gathers-pace-to-aid-output-and-emission-cuts |archive-date=2021-10-03 |access-date=2021-10-03 |website=S&P Global |language=en}}

= Transportation =

Transport was estimated in 2021 to be less than 10% of the country's emissions but growing.{{Cite journal |last1=Xu |first1=Xingbo |last2=Xu |first2=Haicheng |date=2021 |title=The Driving Factors of Carbon Emissions in China's Transportation Sector: A Spatial Analysis |journal=Frontiers in Energy Research |volume=9 |pages=225 |doi=10.3389/fenrg.2021.664046 |issn=2296-598X |doi-access=free}}

= Agriculture =

Agriculture accounts for 7.65% of China's greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.

= Waste =

China also produces large amounts of greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the process of treating waste. In the 2022 Climate Trace statistics, waste treatment accounts for 7.06% of China's total greenhouse gas emissions. Waste disposal is the fourth largest source of GHG emissions in China, and landfills and incineration still dominate municipal waste disposal in China. As a result of the Chinese government's policy of mandatory waste separation in 11 prefectural-level cities, the GHG emissions from waste disposal are decreasing at an efficiency of 0.1% per year, which is effective, but the implementation of waste separation needs to be strengthened. Most municipal solid waste is sent to landfill.{{Cite web|title=Sustainable waste management for zero waste cities in China: potential, challenges and opportunities|url=https://academic.oup.com/ce/article/4/3/169/5918339|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003144745/https://academic.oup.com/ce/article/4/3/169/5918339|url-status=live}}

= Coal mine methane =

China is by far the largest emitter of methane from coal mines.{{Cite news |last=Ambrose |first=Jillian |date=2019-11-15 |title=Methane emissions from coalmines could stoke climate crisis – study |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/15/methane-emissions-from-coal-mines-could-stoke-climate-crisis-study |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115072824/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/15/methane-emissions-from-coal-mines-could-stoke-climate-crisis-study |archive-date=2019-11-15 |access-date=2019-11-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} China produces over 14% of global methane emissions.{{Cite news |date=November 7, 2023 |title=China unveils action plan to reduce methane emissions |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-unveils-action-plan-reduce-methane-emissions-2023-11-07/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=Reuters}}

Mitigation

{{See also|Climate change in China#Mitigation|Climate policy of China}}

{{multiple image

| total_width = 450

| image1 = 2000- Retired coal-fired power capacity - Global Energy Monitor.svg

| caption1 = The annual amount of coal plant capacity being retired increased into the mid-2010s. However, the rate of retirement has since stalled,{{cite web |title=Retired Coal-fired Power Capacity by Country / Global Coal Plant Tracker |url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3gO35bzcVI8ekq9318jBUq6nd7UADcut4gY3vjHZMM/edit#gid=1751753356 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409194508/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3gO35bzcVI8ekq9318jBUq6nd7UADcut4gY3vjHZMM/edit#gid=1751753356 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |date=2023 |url-status=live }} — Global Energy Monitor's [https://globalenergymonitor.org/projects/global-coal-plant-tracker/summary-tables/ Summary of Tables] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230408201908/https://globalenergymonitor.org/projects/global-coal-plant-tracker/summary-tables/ archive]) and global coal phase-out is not yet compatible with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.{{cite web |author1=Shared attribution: Global Energy Monitor, CREA, E3G, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, SFOC, Kiko Network, CAN Europe, Bangladesh Groups, ACJCE, Chile Sustentable |title=Boom and Bust Coal / Tracking the Global Coal Plant Pipeline |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023.pdf |page=3 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407125552/https://globalenergymonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2023 |date=5 April 2023 |url-status=live}}

| image2 = 2000- New coal-fired power capacity - Global Energy Monitor.svg

| caption2 = In parallel with retirement of some coal plant capacity, other coal plants are still being added, though the annual amount of added capacity has been declining since the 2010s.{{cite web |title=New Coal-fired Power Capacity by Country / Global Coal Plant Tracker |url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j35F0WrRJ9dbIJhtRkm8fvPw0Vsf-JV6G95u7gT-DDw/edit#gid=647531100 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319120539/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j35F0WrRJ9dbIJhtRkm8fvPw0Vsf-JV6G95u7gT-DDw/edit#gid=647531100 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |date=2023 |url-status=live}} — Global Energy Monitor's [https://globalenergymonitor.org/projects/global-coal-plant-tracker/summary-tables/ Summary of Tables] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230408201908/https://globalenergymonitor.org/projects/global-coal-plant-tracker/summary-tables/ archive])

}}

China is implementing some policies to mitigate climate change, most of which aim to constrain coal consumption. The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of China set goals and committed to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 in the latest, and increase the use of non-fossil fuel energy carriers, taking up 20% of the total primary energy supply.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-17 |title=What is an INDC? |url=http://www.wri.org/indc-definition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063240/http://www.wri.org/indc-definition |archive-date=2015-11-17 |access-date=2018-04-11 |website=World Resources Institute}} If China successfully reached NDC's targets, the GHG emissions level would be 12.8–14.3 Gt{{CO2}}e in 2030, reducing 64% to 70% of emission intensity below 2005 levels. China has surpassed solar deployment and wind energy deployment targets for 2020.{{Cite web |title=China |url=http://climateactiontracker.org/countries/china.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404172548/http://www.climateactiontracker.org/countries/china.html |archive-date=2018-04-04 |access-date=2018-04-11 |website=Climate Action Tracker}}{{Cite news |date=2019-07-15 |title=China greenhouse gas emissions soar 50% during 2005-2014 - government data |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-china-climatechange-idUKKCN1UA08B |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926062724/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-china-climatechange-idUKKCN1UA08B |archive-date=2019-09-26 |access-date=2019-09-26 |work=Reuters |language=en}}

A 2011 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report predicted that Chinese {{CO2}} emissions will peak around 2030. This is because in many areas such as infrastructure, housing, commercial building, appliances per household, fertilizers, and cement production a maximum intensity will be reached and replacement will take the place of new demand. The 2030 emissions peak also became China's pledge at the Paris COP21 summit. Carbon emission intensity may decrease as policies become strengthened and more effectively implemented, including by more effective financial incentives, and as less carbon intensive energy supplies are deployed. In a "baseline" computer model {{CO2}} emissions were predicted to peak in 2033; in an "Accelerated Improvement Scenario" they were predicted to peak in 2027.ChinaFAQs: China's Energy and Carbon Emissions Outlook to 2050, ChinaFAQs on 12 May 2011, {{cite web|url=http://www.chinafaqs.org/library/chinafaqs-chinas-energy-and-carbon-emissions-outlook-2050|title=ChinaFAQs: China's Energy and Carbon Emissions Outlook to 2050 | ChinaFAQs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505103357/http://www.chinafaqs.org/library/chinafaqs-chinas-energy-and-carbon-emissions-outlook-2050|archive-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-05-17|df=dmy}} China also established 10 binding environmental targets in its Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (2016–2020). These include an aim to reduce carbon intensity by 18% by 2020, as well as a binding target for renewable energy at 15% of total energy, raised from under 12% in the Twelfth Five-Year Plan. According to BloombergNEF the levelized cost of electricity from new large-scale solar power has been below existing coal-fired power stations since 2021.{{Cite web|last=Runyon|first=Jennifer|date=2021-06-23|title=Report: New solar is cheaper to build than to run existing coal plants in China, India and most of Europe|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/report-its-now-cheaper-to-build-new-solar-than-to-run-existing-coal-plants-in-china-india-and-most-of-europe/|website=Renewable Energy World|language=en-US|access-date=2021-09-25|archive-date=2021-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925140146/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/report-its-now-cheaper-to-build-new-solar-than-to-run-existing-coal-plants-in-china-india-and-most-of-europe/|url-status=live}}

= Policy =

China ratified the Kyoto Protocol as a non-Annex B party without binding targets, and ratified the Paris Agreement to fight climate change.{{Cite magazine |date= |title=It Didn't Take Long for China to Fill America's Shoes on Climate Change |url=https://time.com/4810846/china-energy-climate-change-paris-agreement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329185010/http://time.com/4810846/china-energy-climate-change-paris-agreement/ |archive-date=2018-03-29 |access-date=2018-04-10 |magazine=Time}} In 2020, China's fourteenth five-year plan contained key climate- and energy-related ideas for energy transition and global efforts to tackle climate change.{{Cite web|url=https://chinadialogue.net/en/climate/11434-the-14th-five-year-plan-what-ideas-are-on-the-table/|title=The 14th Five Year Plan: what ideas are on the table?|date=7 August 2019 |access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928105606/https://chinadialogue.net/en/climate/11434-the-14th-five-year-plan-what-ideas-are-on-the-table/|url-status=live}}

== Domestic policy and laws ==

=== Forest Law of the People's Republic of China (1998) ===

The aim of this law was to conserve and rationally exploit forest resources. It accelerated territorial afforestation and cultivation while also ensuring forest product management, production, and supply in order to meet socialist construction requirements.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/forest-law-of-the-people-s-republic-of-china|title=Forest Law of the People's ... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919103520/https://www.climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/forest-law-of-the-people-s-republic-of-china|url-status=live}}

=== Energy Conservation Law (2007) ===

The aim of this law was to strengthen energy conservation, especially for key energy-using institutions, as well as to encourage energy efficiency and energy-saving technology. The legislation allowed the government to promote and facilitate the use of renewable energy in a variety of applications.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/energy-conservation-law|title=Energy Conservation Law - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917202959/https://www.climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/energy-conservation-law|url-status=live}}

=== Renewable Energy Act (2009) ===

This Act outlines the responsibilities of the government, businesses, and other users in the production and use of renewable energy. It includes policies and targets relating to mandatory grid connectivity, market control legislation, differentiated pricing, special funds, and tax reliefs, as well as a target of 15 percent renewable energy by 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/renewable-energy-act-legislative|title=Renewable Energy Act (Legis... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World)|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422062706/https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/renewable-energy-act-legislative|url-status=live}}

=== 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) ===

{{see also|12th Five-Year Plan (People's Republic of China)}}

The 12th Five-Year Plan sought to make domestic consumption and development more economically equitable and environmentally friendly. It also shifted the economy's focus away from heavy industry and resource-intensive manufacturing and into a more consumer-driven, resource-efficient economy.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/12th-five-year-plan-for-the-development-of-national-economy-and-society-2011-2015|title=12th Five-Year Plan for the... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919142106/https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/12th-five-year-plan-for-the-development-of-national-economy-and-society-2011-2015|url-status=live}}

=== The National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (2013) ===

The strategy established clear guidelines and principles for adapting to and mitigating climate change. It includes interventions such as early-warning identification and information-sharing systems at the national and regional levels, an ocean disaster monitoring system, and coastal restoration to protect water supplies, reduce soil erosion, and improve disaster prevention.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/the-national-strategy-for-climate-change-adaptation|title=The National Strategy for C... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924153231/https://www.climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/the-national-strategy-for-climate-change-adaptation|url-status=live}}

=== National Plan For Tackling Climate Change (2014-2020) ===

The National Plan For Tackling Climate Change is a national law that includes prevention, adaptation, scientific study, and public awareness. By 2020, China plans to reduce carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45 percent compared to 2005 levels, raise the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 15%, and increase forest area and stock volume by 40 million hectares and 1.3 million m3, respectively, compared to 2005 levels.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/national-plan-for-tackling-climate-change-2014-2020|title=National Plan For Tackling ... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919140435/https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/national-plan-for-tackling-climate-change-2014-2020|url-status=live}}

=== Energy Development Strategy Action Plan (2014-2020) ===

This plan aimed to reduce China's high energy consumption per unit of GDP through a series of steps and mandatory goals, encouraging more productive, self-sufficient, renewable, and creative energy production and consumption.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/energy-development-strategy-action-plan-2014-2020|title=Energy Development Strategy... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2024-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602002159/https://climate-laws.org/document/energy-development-strategy-action-plan-2014-2020_275f|url-status=live}}

=== Law on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution (2016) ===

The aim of this law is to preserve and improve the environment, prevent and regulate air pollution, protect public health, advance ecological civilization, and promote economic and social growth that is sustainable. It demands that robust emission control initiatives be implemented against the pollution caused by the burning of coal, industrial production, motor vehicles and vessels, dust as well as agricultural activities.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/law-on-the-prevention-and-control-of-atmospheric-pollution|title=Law on the Prevention and C... - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804150826/https://www.climate-laws.org/geographies/china/laws/law-on-the-prevention-and-control-of-atmospheric-pollution|url-status=live}}

=== 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) ===

{{see also|Five-year plans of China}}

The 13th Five Year Plan published the strategy and pathway for China's development during 2016-2020 and set specific environmental and productivity goals. Peak goals for carbon emissions, energy use, and water use were established in the 13th Five Year Plan. It also stated objectives for increasing industry productivity, removing obsolete or overcapacity production facilities, increasing renewable energy production, and improving green infrastructure.{{Cite web|url=https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/13th-five-year-plan|title=13th Five-Year Plan - China - Climate Change Laws of the World|website=climate-laws.org|access-date=2021-10-03|archive-date=2021-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927163928/https://climate-laws.org/geographies/china/policies/13th-five-year-plan|url-status=live}}

= Emissions trading =

The Chinese Ministry of Finance originally proposed a carbon tax in 2010, to come into effect in 2012 or 2013.{{cite news |last=Jiawei |first=Zhang |date=11 May 2010 |title=China ministries propose carbon tax from 2012 -report |work=China Daily |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-05/11/content_9834525.htm |url-status=live |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129175726/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-05/11/content_9834525.htm |archive-date=29 January 2011}}{{cite web |date=10 May 2010 |title=China ministries propose carbon tax from 2012 -report |url=http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/energy/100297064-1-china-ministries-propose-carbon-tax.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005154639/http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/energy/100297064-1-china-ministries-propose-carbon-tax.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |publisher=Alibaba News |agency=Reuters}} The tax was never passed; in February 2021 the government instead set up a carbon trading scheme.{{Cite news |date=2021-02-27 |title=Can China's new carbon market take off? |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2021/02/27/can-chinas-new-carbon-market-take-off |url-status=live |access-date=2021-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706150350/https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2021/02/27/can-chinas-new-carbon-market-take-off |archive-date=6 July 2021 |issn=0013-0613}}{{cite news |last1=Xue |first1=Yujie |date=16 July 2022 |title=China's national carbon trading scheme marks one-year anniversary |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3185486/chinas-national-carbon-trading-scheme-marks-one-year-anniversary-analysts?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3185486 |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602002158/https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3185486/chinas-national-carbon-trading-scheme-marks-one-year-anniversary-analysts?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3185486 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Xue |first1=Yujie |date=2 February 2022 |title=Turnover of China's carbon trading scheme to reach US$15 billion in 2030 |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3165590/chinas-carbon-neutral-goals-turnover-under-emissions-trading-scheme |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602001409/https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3165590/chinas-carbon-neutral-goals-turnover-under-emissions-trading-scheme |url-status=live }}{{excerpt|Chinese national carbon trading scheme}}China also has a policy of forestry carbon credits.{{Cite book |last1=Bachulska |first1=Alicja |url=https://ecfr.eu/publication/idea-of-china/ |title=The Idea of China: Chinese Thinkers on Power, Progress, and People |last2=Leonard |first2=Mark |last3=Oertel |first3=Janka |date=2 July 2024 |publisher=European Council on Foreign Relations |isbn=978-1-916682-42-9 |location=Berlin, Germany |pages=124 |format=EPUB |access-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717120845/https://ecfr.eu/publication/idea-of-china/ |archive-date=17 July 2024 |url-status=live}} Forestry carbon credits are based on the measurement of forest growth, which is converted into carbon emission reduction measurements by government ecological and forestry offices. Owners of forests (who are typically rural families or rural villages) receive carbon tickets (碳票; tan piao) which are tradeable securities.

= Vehicles =

Vehicles account for around 8% of the heat-trapping gases released annually in China.{{Cite web|title=CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2018|url=https://webstore.iea.org/co2-emissions-from-fuel-combustion-2018|access-date=2021-04-21|website=IEA Webstore|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012533/https://webstore.iea.org/co2-emissions-from-fuel-combustion-2018|url-status=dead}}

= Eco-Cities =

{{See also|Eco-Cities in China}}

The Chinese government has strategically promoted Eco-Cities in China as a policy measure for addressing rising greenhouse gas emissions resulting from China's rapid urbanization and industrialization.{{Cite book |last=Sandalow |first=David |url=https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Guide%20to%20Chinese%20Climate%20Policy%207-27-18.pdf |title=Guide to Chinese Climate Policy |date=July 2018 |publisher=Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy |isbn=978-1-7261-8430-4 |location=New York |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227115928/https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Guide%20to%20Chinese%20Climate%20Policy%207-27-18.pdf |archive-date=2022-02-27 |url-status=live}} These projects seek to blend green technologies and sustainable infrastructure to build large, environmentally friendly cities nationwide.{{Cite journal |last1=Hunter |first1=Garfield Wayne |last2=Sagoe |first2=Gideon |last3=Vettorato |first3=Daniele |last4=Jiayu |first4=Ding |date=2019-08-11 |title=Sustainability of Low Carbon City Initiatives in China: A Comprehensive Literature Review |journal=Sustainability |language=en |volume=11 |issue=16 |pages=4342 |doi=10.3390/su11164342 |issn=2071-1050 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019Sust...11.4342H }} The government has launched three programs to incentivize cities to undertake eco-city construction,{{Cite journal |last1=de Jong |first1=Martin |last2=Yu |first2=Chang |last3=Joss |first3=Simon |last4=Wennersten |first4=Ronald |last5=Yu |first5=Li |last6=Zhang |first6=Xiaoling |last7=Ma |first7=Xin |date=2016-10-15 |title=Eco city development in China: addressing the policy implementation challenge |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652616301524 |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |series=Special Volume: Transitions to Sustainable Consumption and Production in Cities |language=en |volume=134 |pages=31–41 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.083 |bibcode=2016JCPro.134...31D |issn=0959-6526 |access-date=2023-06-01 |archive-date=2024-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602001415/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652616301524 |url-status=live }} encouraging hundreds of cities to announce plans for eco-city developments.{{Cite journal |last=Xu |first=Miao |date=2023 |title=Developer-led new eco-cities in China - identification, assessment and solution of environmental issues in planning |url=https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-325789 |url-status=live |journal= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530033008/https://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1750958&dswid=4830 |archive-date=2023-05-30}}

= Energy efficiency =

Energy efficiency improvements have somewhat offset increases in energy output as China continues to develop. Since 2006, the Chinese government has increased export taxes on energy-inefficient industries, reduced import tariffs on certain non-renewable energy resources, and closed down a number of inefficient power and industrial plants. In 2009, for example, for every two new plants (in terms of energy generation capacity) built, one inefficient plant was closed. China is unique in its closing of so many inefficient plants.{{cite journal|last1=Hager|first1=Robert P.|date=5 October 2016|title=Steven W. Hook and John Spanier|journal=Democracy and Security|volume=12|issue=4|pages=333–337|doi=10.1080/17419166.2016.1236635|s2cid=151336730}}

= Renewable energy =

{{main|Renewable energy in China}}

China is the world's leading investor in wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies{{Cite news |date=2023-06-29 |title=China's green power surge offers hope on warming |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66043485 |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} and produces more wind turbines and solar panels each year than any other country.{{Cite news |last=Bradsher |first=Keith |author-link=Keith Bradsher |date=2010-01-30 |title=China Leading Global Race to Make Clean Energy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/business/energy-environment/31renew.html |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

China is the world leader in renewable energy deployment, with more than twice the ability of any other nation. China accounted for 43% of global renewable energy capacity additions in 2018.{{Cite web|last=REN21|title=Renewables 2019 Global Status Report|url=https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2019|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.ren21.net|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605142956/https://ren21.net/gsr-2019/|url-status=live}} For decades, hydropower has been a major source of energy in China. In the last ten years, wind and solar power have risen significantly. Renewables accounted for approximately a quarter of China's electricity generation in 2018, with 18% coming from hydropower, 5% from wind, and 3% from solar.

Nuclear power is planned to be rapidly expanded.Nuclear Power in China, Updated March 2012, World Nuclear Association, http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf63.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212223045/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf63.html |date=2013-02-12 }}

China has also dictated energy standards for lighting and gas kilometrage for cars.{{cite news |last=Bradsher |first=Keith |author-link=Keith Bradsher |date=4 July 2010 |title=China Fears Warming Effects of Consumer Wants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/business/global/05warm.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927054327/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/business/global/05warm.html |archive-date=27 September 2019 |access-date=27 September 2019 |work=The New York Times}}

= Targets =

The targets laid out in China's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in 2016 will likely be met, but are not enough to properly combat global warming. China also established 10 binding environmental targets in its Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (2016–2020). These include an aim to reduce carbon intensity by 18% by 2020, as well as a binding target for renewable energy at 15% of total energy, raised from under 12% in the Twelfth Five-Year Plan. The Thirteenth Five-Year Plan also set, for the first time, a cap on total energy use from all sources: no more than 5 billion tons of coal through 2020.{{Cite web|title=The 13th Five-Year Plan {{!}} U.S.-CHINA|url=https://www.uscc.gov/Research/13th-five-year-plan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114081124/https://www.uscc.gov/Research/13th-five-year-plan|archive-date=2018-11-14|access-date=2018-11-20|website=www.uscc.gov}}

See also

{{Portal|China|Global Warming}}

{{Clear}}

References

{{Reflist}}

= Sources =

  • {{Cite web|url=https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/NDCStaging/pages/Party.aspx?party=CHN|title=Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to UN|website=www4.unfccc.int|access-date=2019-10-31}}
  • {{Cite report|last=|first=|date=December 2020|title=China's New Growth Pathway: From the 14th Five-Year Plan to Carbon Neutrality|url=https://www.efchina.org/Attachments/Report/report-lceg-20201210/Full-Report_Synthesis-Report-2020-on-Chinas-Carbon-Neutrality_EN.pdf|publisher=Energy Foundation China|access-date=2020-12-16|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416100821/https://www.efchina.org/Attachments/Report/report-lceg-20201210/Full-Report_Synthesis-Report-2020-on-Chinas-Carbon-Neutrality_EN.pdf|url-status=dead}}
  • {{cite journal |last1=Friedlingstein |first1=Pierre |last2=Jones |first2=Matthew W. |last3=O'Sullivan |first3=Michael |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |display-authors=4 |last5=Hauck |first5=Judith |last6=Peters |first6=Glen P. |last7=Peters |first7=Wouter |last8=Pongratz |first8=Julia |last9=Sitch |first9=Stephen |last10=Quéré |first10=Corinne Le |last11=Bakker |first11=Dorothee C. E. |date=2019 |title=Global Carbon Budget 2019 |journal=Earth System Science Data |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=1783–1838 |doi=10.5194/essd-11-1783-2019 |bibcode=2019ESSD...11.1783F |issn=1866-3508 |doi-access=free|hdl=20.500.11850/385668 |hdl-access=free }}

{{Asia topic|Greenhouse gas emissions by}}

{{Authority control}}

China

Category:Climate change in China