The shift to dual control of carbon emissions should be gradual
On the afternoon of July 11, the Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform deliberated and adopted the "Opinions on Promoting the Gradual Shift from Dual Control of Energy Consumption to Dual Control of Carbon Emissions". The "Opinions" pointed out that it is necessary to adhere to the principle of establishing first and then breaking down, improve the dual control system of energy consumption, optimize and improve the regulation and control methods, strengthen the basic capacity building of dual control of carbon emissions, improve the supporting systems of dual control of carbon emissions, and actively create conditions for the establishment and implementation of dual control of carbon emissions. At the same time, it is emphasized that it is necessary to build a new system of a higher-level open economy, and promote the gradual shift from dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions.
Promoting the dual control of energy consumption and gradually shifting to the dual control of carbon emissions is to adapt to the requirements of the "double carbon" goal, and to transfer the constraint indicators to "carbon", which can better promote the realization of the "double carbon" goal. With the increasing proportion of renewable energy in China, the difference between dual control of carbon emissions and dual control of energy consumption is becoming increasingly prominent, which fully considers the changes in China's energy structure and can effectively promote China's energy system to move towards the direction of more in line with the implementation of the "double carbon" goal.
The dual control of energy consumption is based on the binding indicators of energy consumption intensity, and puts forward restrictions on the total energy consumption. Although dual control of energy consumption can control carbon emissions to a certain extent, it is difficult to achieve precise pollution and carbon reduction. The dual control of carbon emissions is based on the key constraints on the total consumption and intensity of fossil energy, which can break the constraints of the former on the use of renewable energy, and effectively reduce the dual pressure on resources and the environment while increasing the total energy consumption. This change in the control index is conducive to the application and development of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy, and reduces the investment and use of fossil energy such as coal and oil. The transformation of the energy structure to clean energy is the meaning of China's high-quality development. In the long run, as long as the limit of the impact of indicator changes on the economy is well controlled, this change will become a powerful measure to promote high-quality economic development.
Like the implementation process of dual control of energy consumption, the dual control of carbon emissions will also be a process of continuous improvement, how should high-energy-consuming industries such as petrochemical industry scientifically realize the transformation from dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions? The author believes that we should focus on the following three aspects.
First of all, strengthen the top-level design of carbon reduction in high-energy-consuming industries, and strive to do a good job in basic work. At present, China is at a critical historical juncture in energy development and transformation, and top-level design is very important for taking the path of low-carbon and zero-carbon transformation. In accordance with the "dual carbon" target node, we should scientifically formulate carbon peak and carbon neutrality plans for various industries. In particular, it is necessary to consider multiple factors such as input-output efficiency, development urgency, difficulty and cost of carbon reduction of various energy-consuming industries, and select the most economical, effective and feasible carbon reduction sequence and path.
Secondly, increase scientific and technological innovation and industrial application to achieve deep integration with new energy. For high-energy-consuming industries such as petrochemical and chemical industries, new energy distributed generation or green power procurement can be used to solve the energy consumption of fuel and power, and increase the proportion of new energy power generation from the power generation side. At the same time, we will give priority to energy conservation, strengthen the protection and support of low-carbon, zero-carbon and carbon-negative technologies, achieve deep decarbonization, and solve the energy consumption caused by raw materials. For example, the application of green hydrogen to replace fossil raw materials is the ultimate path to energy saving, consumption reduction and carbon reduction in high-energy-consuming industries such as petrochemical and chemical industries. On this basis, enterprises should be further encouraged to accelerate the low-carbon transformation and form an endogenous driving force for innovation.
Third, we should actively introduce market mechanisms and make good use of transition financial instruments. China should make maximum use of the market mechanism, guide the gradual reduction of carbon emissions, expand the coverage of the national carbon market, especially more high-energy-consuming industries into the carbon market trading, such as steel, building materials and petrochemical industries are also about to inject new blood into the carbon trading market. At the same time, carbon reduction should also be combined with financial instruments to deepen market mechanisms to achieve the "dual carbon" goal. Compared with common green financial products, transition finance is more flexible, targeted and adaptable, and can meet the capital needs of energy structure transformation on a larger scale and scale. At present, the main transition financial instruments in the market include linked and fund-raising projects. For the petrochemical industry, transition finance can play a more effective role than green finance to support the large-scale investment required by the industry to achieve the "dual carbon" goals.
At present, China's development tasks are heavy and there are many challenges, but we believe that under the principles of national overall planning, conservation priority, two-wheel drive, internal and external smoothness, and risk prevention, we will be able to promote and realize the transformation from dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions as soon as possible by selecting economic policies with high efficiency, strong emission reduction effect and fairer economic policies.
