As the world's largest developing country and the country with the largest carbon emissions, the general secretary made a solemn commitment to the international community at the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2020 on China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and China will strive to peak its net carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Looking at the carbon neutrality goals of all countries around the world, most Western developed countries have reached the peak of carbon emissions in the 90s of the 20th century, and there is a 50-70 year transition period to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, while China needs to achieve the ambitious goal of "peak-neutralization" within 30 years.
Challenges and opportunities coexist, what is the underlying logic of China's comprehensive response to carbon neutrality?
1. Actively respond to climate change. Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have led to a rapid rise in the earth's temperature, which has become the consensus of the mainstream scientific community. According to the Federal Reserve's Institute on Globalization, without climate action, global temperatures will rise by 37. The annual global per capita GDP could be lost by 72%。This means that if global warming is left unchecked, humanity will face severe economic losses by the end of the century.
2. Strive for the right to speak on global climate governance. China has established itself as a responsible major country in tackling climate change, providing an example for developing countries. Western countries, on the other hand, pledged at COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009 to provide at least $100 billion a year in climate aid to developing countries by 2020, but have not yet fully fulfilled their promises. China's role in global climate governance is changing from a participant and contributor to a leader.
February** Dynamic Incentive Program
3. Achieve independent and controllable energy. The resolute promotion of carbon neutrality is also based on the consideration of China's energy security. In the context of the sudden change in the international situation, China, as a major manufacturing country, must achieve independent and controllable energy in order to develop the real economy. In 2023, PetroChina's dependence on foreign countries will exceed the internationally recognized safety warning line of 50%, reaching more than 70%, and the dependence on natural gas will exceed 40%. The low-carbon energy transition is not only a manifestation of China's responsibility as a major country, but also a historical opportunity to adjust the energy structure. Therefore, the core underlying logic of carbon neutrality is that "the job of energy must be in your own hands".