On the Chinese Carbon Reduction Target

In November 2009, China pledged a 40–45% decrease in CO2 emissions per GDP by 2020, as compared with the 2005 level. Although carbon intensity (emission) targets by nature are ambiguous, this study demonstrates that China’s pledge is consistent with the current Chinese domestic agenda that simultane...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSustainability Vol. 2; no. 6; pp. 1553 - 1557
Main Authors Uwasu, Michinori, Saijo, Tatsuyoshi, Jiang, Yi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI, Open Access Journal 02.06.2010
MDPI AG
SeriesSustainability
Subjects
Carbon
carbon intensity
China’s pledge
Climate change
Collaboration
Developing countries
Economic growth
Emissions
Energy consumption
Energy efficiency
Five year plans
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
Growth rate
LDCs
Sustainability
United States > US
China
Japan
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Summary:In November 2009, China pledged a 40–45% decrease in CO2 emissions per GDP by 2020, as compared with the 2005 level. Although carbon intensity (emission) targets by nature are ambiguous, this study demonstrates that China’s pledge is consistent with the current Chinese domestic agenda that simultaneously pursues economic growth and energy security. The target numbers in the pledge seem reasonable, given the technological feasibility and measures, considered along with the assumption that moderate economic growth will occur. However, the study also argues that financial and institutional constraints exist as potential obstacles to achieving the target if the trend of the current economic tendencies continues.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su2061553