Zhao Penggao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environmental Resources of the National Development and Reform Commission: How should China build 100 carbon peak pilots?
On October 20 this year, the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the National Carbon Peak Pilot Construction Plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Pilot Plan"), proposing to select 100 typical representative cities and parks across the country to carry out carbon peak pilot construction.
On December 6, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the "Notice on Printing and Distributing the First Batch of Pilot List for Carbon Peaking", identifying 25 cities including Zhangjiakou City and 10 parks including Changzhi High-tech Industrial Development Zone as the first batch of pilot cities and parks for carbon peaking.
A few days ago, I interviewed Zhao Penggao, deputy director of the Department of Environmental Resources of the National Development and Reform Commission, about the "Pilot Plan" and the progress of China's carbon peaking.
In the interview, Zhao Penggao interpreted the policy positioning, deployment requirements and incentive measures of the "Pilot Program". He said that China's "dual carbon" work has achieved positive results, and judging from the current progress, China will be able to successfully achieve the goal of carbon peaking. In addition, he put forward relevant suggestions for the construction of carbon peaking in various localities.
Reporter: The Pilot Plan is the first carbon peak policy issued by the National Development and Reform Commission at the city and park levels. What is the significance of the introduction of the new plan compared with the previous carbon peak construction carried out by provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in various regions?
Zhao Penggao: "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Doing a Good Job in Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality" proposes to organize and carry out a pilot demonstration of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and explore effective models and beneficial experiences.
The State Council's Action Plan for Carbon Peaking Before 2030 clearly requires that the central government increase its support for local governments to promote carbon peaking, select 100 typical representative cities and parks to carry out pilot construction of carbon peaking, and provide support to pilot cities and parks in terms of policies, funds, and technologies, so as to accelerate the realization of green and low-carbon transformation, and provide operable, replicable and scalable experience and practices for the whole country.
Different regions have different energy structures, resource endowments and development stages, and they are also facing different difficulties and challenges in promoting carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Although 31 provinces and autonomous regions have formulated provincial carbon peak implementation plans, there is still a lot of work that needs to be further refined and explored at the city and park level.
Carrying out the construction of pilot cities and parks for carbon peaking will effectively stimulate the initiative and creativity of cities and parks, explore green and low-carbon transformation, provide effective experience and practices for the whole country, and help achieve the "dual carbon" goal.
Reporter: Compared with the carbon peak construction carried out at the provincial (municipal, autonomous region) level, the Department of Environmental Resources expects all localities to be more detailed or innovative in the pilot construction of carbon peak cities or parks?
Zhao Penggao: Cities and parks are the main carriers of population and economic activities, and they are also the areas with the highest concentration of energy consumption, pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions. The urbanization rate of China's permanent population has exceeded 65%, and the urban population has reached 921 million.
With the deepening of China's new industrialization and urbanization, cities and parks will become more prominent in China's economic and social development pattern, and resource and energy consumption and carbon emissions will also be more concentrated.
It is suggested that all localities should do a good job in five aspects in accordance with the relevant deployment of the "Pilot Plan" and in combination with their own actual conditions:
In terms of determining the pilot tasks, it is necessary not only to benchmark with the national and provincial requirements, but also to reflect the characteristics and plan a number of pragmatic and effective measures.
In terms of organizing key projects, it is necessary to focus on key areas and highlight the orientation of carbon reduction, and promote the formation of new industrial competitive advantages.
In terms of strengthening scientific and technological innovation, we should not only focus on the research and development of key technologies, but also improve the promotion and application mechanism of green and low-carbon technologies, and guide enterprises to adopt advanced and applicable technologies.
In terms of improving policy mechanisms, it is necessary to adhere to the orientation of "carbon reduction", consolidate the foundation of carbon emission statistics and accounting, promote the shift from dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions, and explore fiscal, financial, investment, and price policies and standard systems conducive to green and low-carbon development.
In terms of carrying out national actions, it is necessary to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the masses, vigorously promote the concept of green and low-carbon life, and establish an incentive and restraint mechanism for green life.
Reporter: The "Pilot Plan" mentions that the National Development and Reform Commission will coordinate the existing funding channels with relevant parties and support the pilot construction projects that meet the requirements. When is this financial support measure expected to be launched, and what is the approximate level of funding?
Zhao Penggao: For the projects in the pilot cities and parks, as long as they meet the relevant conditions and can form effective support for the pilot work, we will actively support them through existing channels. At the same time, we will also push eligible projects to financial institutions to encourage financial institutions to support the construction of pilot projects.
Reporter: The "Pilot Plan" also mentions that the relevant provincial and regional development and reform commissions should commend the cities and parks with outstanding pilot results. In addition, what new policies might the NDRC or local governments introduce to incentivize the enthusiasm of pilot cities and parks to peak carbon emissions?
Zhao Penggao: The pilot is not a policy depression, but focuses on encouraging local governments to explore first.
For the places where the pilot construction has achieved outstanding results, we will promote the good experience and practices in the process of pilot construction to be upgraded to national policies, systems and regulations, and at the same time, we will also publicize them on major occasions at home and abroad, such as the National Ecology Day, the National Energy Conservation Publicity Week, and the United Nations Climate Conference, so as to create a demonstration model of the "double carbon" action.
Reporter: The "Pilot Plan" takes into account factors such as the total carbon emissions and growth trends of various regions, economic and social development, and selects 15 provinces (autonomous regions) such as Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia as the first batch of pilot areas. Can you use some provinces (autonomous regions) as examples to talk about the special challenges faced by local carbon peaking, and how you expect these places to use the Pilot Plan as an opportunity to explore practices and experiences?
Zhao Penggao: The first batch of 15 pilot provinces (autonomous regions) have different resource endowments, development stages, and functional positioning, and they are also representative. Take the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Guangdong Province as examples:
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a typical resource-based region, with prominent characteristics of coal-biased energy structure and heavy industrial structure, and abundant new energy resources. To promote the pilot work, it is necessary to vigorously improve the level of clean and efficient utilization of coal and accelerate the development and utilization of new energy. At the same time, it is necessary to optimize and upgrade the industrial structure, resolutely curb the blind launch of "two highs and one low" projects, and guide enterprises to carry out energy-saving and carbon-reduction transformation, process innovation and digital transformation.
Guangdong Province is the power source of high-quality development in China, with large total energy consumption, and energy consumption structure adjustment and industrial upgrading are still facing difficulties and challenges. In promoting the pilot work, it is necessary to put scientific and technological innovation in a more prominent position, accelerate the research and development, promotion and application of green and low-carbon advanced technologies, actively promote new energy to replace fossil energy, vigorously develop strategic emerging industries, and cultivate new industrial competitive advantages. At the same time, we will actively carry out institutional innovation and explore and improve policies and mechanisms conducive to green and low-carbon development.
Reporter: It has been two years since the State Council issued the Action Plan for Peaking Carbon Emissions before 2030, what achievements have the national and local governments made in the construction of carbon peaking, and what difficulties and challenges are still faced?
Zhao Penggao: Since General Secretary Xi Jinping made a major declaration of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, the National Development and Reform Commission and all regions and departments have adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply implemented Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, conscientiously implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, strengthened system concepts, strengthened overall coordination, and vigorously grasped the implementation of work, so as to promote the "dual carbon" work to achieve a good start and positive results.
The first is to build a "1+N" policy system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the "Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Doing a Good Job in Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality", the State Council issued the "Action Plan for Carbon Peaking Before 2030", and all relevant departments issued 12 implementation plans for key areas and industries and 11 support and guarantee plans, and 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) formulated implementation plans for carbon peaking in their respective regions.
Second, the green and low-carbon energy transformation is steadily advancing. China has strengthened the clean and efficient use of coal, and completed more than 520 million kilowatts of energy-saving, carbon-reduction, flexibility and heating transformation of coal-fired power units. Vigorously develop renewable energy, as of the end of September this year, the country's installed capacity of renewable energy reached 1.384 billion kilowatts, accounting for 49.6% of the installed capacity.
Third, the industrial structure continues to be optimized and upgraded. Since the "14th Five-Year Plan", the reduction of crude steel has exceeded 40 million tons. In the first three quarters of this year, exports of new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells and other "new three" products increased by 41.7% year-on-year.
Fourth, green and low-carbon development in key areas has achieved remarkable results. By the end of 2022, 91.2% of the new green construction area in cities and towns had been built, and the cumulative energy-saving construction area had exceeded 30 billion square meters. As of September this year, new energy vehicles accounted for 31.6% of new car sales, and the number of vehicles owned reached 18.21 million, accounting for 60% of the world's total.
Fifth, the carbon sink of the ecosystem has been steadily improved. Since the "14th Five-Year Plan", more than 100 million mu of land greening has been completed every year, with a forest coverage rate of 24.02% and a forest stock of 19.493 billion cubic meters, making it the country with the largest and fastest growth of forest resources in the world.
Sixth, the basic capacity of "dual carbon" work has been significantly enhanced. Promote the gradual shift from dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions, implement the "14th Five-Year Plan" 100 actions to improve energy conservation and carbon reduction standards, start the national carbon peak pilot construction, and promote green and low-carbon advanced technology demonstration projects. Carry out cadre education and training and professional personnel training.
Seventh, the green and low-carbon policy mechanism has been improved. Since 2020, the central government has allocated a total of 1.78 trillion yuan in ecological and environmental protection-related funds. Launched carbon emission reduction support tools and special refinancing to support the clean and efficient use of coal. As of June this year, the balance of loans for the two instruments was 453 billion yuan and 245.9 billion yuan respectively. By the end of October this year, 87.8 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity had been traded nationwide, and 382 million tonnes of carbon allowances had been traded nationwide.
Eighth, we should actively participate in global climate governance. China and Germany have been encouraged to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing a Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism on Climate Change and Green Transition, and China and the United States have issued the Statement on Strengthening Cooperation on Climate Change. The 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the High-level Forum on Green Development will be held. Actively participate in multilateral and bilateral agendas such as the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and promote the construction of a fair, reasonable, and win-win global environmental governance system.
While China has achieved positive results, China's "dual carbon" work is also facing some new difficulties and challenges:
First, the Ukraine crisis and other geopolitical conflicts have led to an imbalance between global energy supply and demand, and China's energy supply is facing greater challenges, further increasing the pressure to promote green and low-carbon energy transformation.
Second, in the name of responding to climate change, some countries have built "carbon barriers" to suppress domestic advantageous industries, further increasing the difficulty of industrial transformation and upgrading.
Third, the foundation of "dual carbon" work is weak, there is a lack of professional talents, the overall investment in green and low-carbon innovation is low, and the momentum of green and low-carbon transformation of development mode needs to be further strengthened.
Reporter: As we approach the goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030, what is China's progress towards peaking carbon emissions as a whole?
Zhao Penggao: Although the domestic "dual carbon" work still faces some difficulties and challenges, as long as we continue to implement the "1+N" policy system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and steadily promote the "Ten Actions for Carbon Peaking", we will be able to successfully achieve the goal of carbon peaking.
From several key indicators: First, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption. In 2022, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption in China has reached 17.5%, and it is expected to steadily achieve the target of about 25% of non-fossil energy in 2030.
The second is the installed capacity of wind power and solar power generation. As of September this year, China's total installed capacity of wind power and solar power has reached 920 million kilowatts, and it is expected to successfully complete the goal of reaching more than 1.2 billion kilowatts in 2030.
The third is forest stock. In 2021, China's forest stock reached 19.493 billion cubic meters, achieving the target of 19 billion cubic meters of forest stock by 2030 nine years ahead of schedule.
Fourth, carbon emission intensity. In 2022, China's carbon emission intensity has been reduced by more than 51% compared with 2005, and although it is difficult and challenging to achieve the goal of reducing carbon emission intensity by more than 65% by 2030 compared with 2005, it is achievable with hard work.
Reporter: Summing up the experience of the past two years, what suggestions does the Department of Environmental Resources have for local governments to carry out carbon peak construction?
Zhao Penggao: In the process of promoting the pilot construction of carbon peaking, it is recommended that all localities focus on three aspects:
The first is to explore the path of green and low-carbon transformation. Combined with its own characteristics and actual situation, we will explore the path of green and low-carbon transformation in key areas of energy and industry, and provide the whole country with experience and practices that can be used for reference.
The second is to explore and cultivate new industrial competitive advantages. Emission reduction is not to reduce productivity, nor is it to eliminate emissions, but to cultivate new industrial competitive advantages in the process of implementing the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and to achieve high-quality economic development and "double carbon" work in synergy and mutual promotion.
The third is to explore the construction of policy mechanisms conducive to green and low-carbon development. Give full play to the flexibility of work at the city and park level, actively explore, take the lead in experiments, and provide support and reference for the construction and improvement of green and low-carbon development policies and mechanisms at the national level and other regions.
