China issues 5-year GHG plan

China’s State Council has issued its 5-year plan for controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is part of the overall set of 5-year plans.

According to the plan, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will fall by 18% compared to 2015. In addition to carbon dioxide, controls will be tightened on various other greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrogen dioxide and PFCs. Carbon sink capacity will be increased.

The plan calls for increased support and focus at a provincial level, with specific focus on certain industries such as the chemical industry.

A carbon emissions trading system will be established, with a complete structure of rules, regional dimensions and deployment of human resources and management systems rolled out to ensure smooth running of the system.

Zones will be established where the focus is on low-carbon development and innovation, according to the plan. Selected cities and towns will be called on to work on this, with a target of at least 50 demonstration projects by 2020.

The plan calls for total energy consumption per unit of GDP to fall by 15% compared to 2015. Coal consumption in particular is slated to fall to 50 tons of standard coal by 2020. (China’s coal is typically below the standard.)

The full text of the 5-year plan (Chinese) can be found here.

China is very good at issuing directives and plans and edicts, but in recent times has not been so good at implementing or policing them. One respected commentator told me that when it comes to 5-year plans, China typically achieves goals that have specific measurable targets attached to them, but struggles when the goals are not so well enumerated.

At least China has put a stake in the ground, with some measurable targets.

Acknowledgements to Scientific American for the pic.