China’s failure to meet its 2024 carbon intensity target has raised alarms over its commitment to carbon neutrality and global climate efforts. The nation’s emissions fell short of planned reductions despite growth in renewable energy. With significant implications worldwide, upcoming emissions targets may determine China’s path towards sustainability and structural reforms in its energy sector.
China’s recent failure to meet its carbon emissions target has ignited concerns regarding its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, a factor critical for global climate change mitigation efforts. In 2024, China saw a mere 3.4% reduction in carbon intensity, falling short of its goal of 3.9%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Furthermore, China is lagging behind in its long-term objective of reducing carbon intensity by 18% between 2020 and 2025 as outlined in the most recent five-year plan of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Under President Xi Jinping’s “dual targets” policy, China aims to reach peak emissions by the decade’s end and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
As the world’s largest emitter, responsible for approximately 30% of global emissions, China’s actions critically influence international efforts to maintain average temperature rises within 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The unprecedented rise in global temperatures during 2024 raises doubts about achieving this target.
Muyi Yang, a senior energy analyst at Ember, emphasized that despite economic growth, emissions reductions have not intensified as anticipated. The recovery from COVID-19 has led to increased industrial growth, creating a higher energy demand, which compromised efforts to lower emissions by 0.8% year-on-year.
Record-breaking heatwaves have further impeded emission reduction initiatives, affecting hydropower outputs and necessitating coal reliance to fill the gap. Nevertheless, China has made significant advancements in renewable energy, achieving 14.5% of its energy demand from wind and solar, alongside 13.4% from hydropower in the previous year.
According to Eric Fishman from the Lantau Group, 75% of the energy demand growth was met with renewables, equating to massive clean energy proportions. Government initiatives have played a crucial role in this transition toward an ecological civilization, as stated by Xi Jinping.
China’s move towards cleaner energy is supported by policies aimed at reducing reliance on high-emission industries. Anika Patel, from Carbon Brief, noted the shift in focus towards innovative manufacturing in green technologies rather than traditional low-value products.
The CCP is set to unveil new emissions targets for 2026 to 2030, which will shape public and private sector policy. Yao Zhe from Greenpeace East Asia expressed cautious optimism, indicating that while reaching peak carbon is feasible, transitioning entirely away from coal remains a significant challenge demanding immediate structural reforms.
In conclusion, China’s unmet emissions targets cast a shadow over its long-term carbon neutrality aspirations, raising significant concerns for global climate efforts. Despite remarkable progress in renewable energy, the country faces heightened energy demands and infrastructure challenges due to industrial recovery and climate-induced disruptions. Upcoming policy targets will play a vital role in determining China’s concrete steps towards reducing emissions and transitioning to sustainable practices.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
