China revealed ambitious plans to fight climate change, setting out a string of renewable energy projects to cut carbon emissions and drive its climate ambitions. Being the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, China has pledged to peak its emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) unveiled the country’s plan, which involves building new offshore wind farms and speeding up the development of new energy bases in deserts.
One of the notable projects that are cited includes a controversial hydropower plant on Tibet’s Yarlung Tsangpo river that has stirred up issues about its effects on downstream water flows in India. The NDRC also noted a direct transmission line for power linking Tibet to Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong to further develop the nation’s renewable energy grid.
Yet, coal is still an important source of energy. Although attempts are being made to bring low carbon technologies into coal power plants, China intends to expand coal production and supply in 2025. China is struggling to balance economic development with environmental targets. A recent report by the NDRC found that China failed to meet its carbon cutting targets achieving a 3.4% cut in carbon emissions per unit of GDP last year.
China’s green energy switch is still complicated and meeting its climate objectives will involve some serious barriers.
