{"id":9998,"date":"2021-12-01T02:37:59","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T02:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energytracker.asia\/?p=9998"},"modified":"2021-12-01T02:38:01","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T02:38:01","slug":"role-of-coal-in-chinas-path-to-net-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energytracker.asia\/role-of-coal-in-chinas-path-to-net-zero\/","title":{"rendered":"The Role of Coal in China’s Path to Net-Zero Emissions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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China<\/strong> has set a goal of being net-zero<\/strong> by 2060. China is arguably a land of contradictions. It finds itself in an awkward position of being the globe’s largest carbon emissions emitter and the globe’s frontrunner in clean technologies. This new push into cleaner tech is part of China’s<\/em> ultimate plan on reaching<\/a> net-zero<\/em> emissions by 2060. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, China will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Wind and solar power are the best alternatives to fossil fuels. To reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming, China is taking a proactive approach with this net-zero plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China’s Impact at COP26<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yet, recently at COP26, China seemed to take a less outspoken stance on climate change and appeared somewhat reserved<\/a>. Xi Jinping, China’s President, did not attend the event and remained vague in his video address to the conference. He called for more decisive action on climate change and more assistance for developing countries. As important as those two points may be, they are well established and bring nothing new to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No New Carbon Emissions or Renewable Energy Commitments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To add to the perplexing situation, China did not pledge any additional climate change or global warming commitments. This surprised many that assumed China would take a firmer stance on the matter. For critics, it raised questions about China’s seriousness and whether they can meet their climate targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Context \u2013 Pre COP26<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, however, China has actively sought to decarbonise its economy over the last several years. For a long time, the nation’s economic growth aligned with local environmental degradation. At the turn of the millennium, this changed<\/a>. The change was followed by activities to fulfil the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – and now its commitments to meet net-zero emissions by 2060.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: Paia Consulting<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“China’s economic growth has not come without great sacrifice and with negative consequences for the environment and climate,” said<\/a> Deliang Chen, a professor of physical meteorology at the University of Gothenburg. “But it is still encouraging to note these improvements.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak Carbon Emissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aware of its greenhouse gases emissions and seeking to curb them, China acknowledges that its carbon emissions are yet to peak. The situation is paradoxical, as China is the world leader<\/a> in climate-friendly investments. It is already the largest EV manufacturer and also slowly grasping at a monopoly<\/a> of EV-related materials supply chains. China, with its ability to rapidly enact social change<\/a>, could be an unlikely success story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Repercussions of China\u2019s Coal Pledge on Asian Economies<\/h5>\n Read more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n