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This proposal is based on Pathways to Deep Decarbonzation in China, a report prepared by the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project.


Description

Summary

This seed proposal is based on Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in China, a report prepared in 2015 by the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP). The proposal was prepared by a Climate CoLab Fellow. We invite other CoLab members to link to this proposal or to use it as a starting point for creating new proposals of their own. DDPP has not reviewed or endorsed this proposal.

DDPP is a collaborative global research initiative to understand how individual countries can transition to a low-carbon economy consistent with the internationally agreed goal of limiting anthropogenic warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius (°C).

It was convened under the auspices of the the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

The country teams include researchers from leading institutions in their respective countries, acting independently; they do not represent the official positions of their national governments.

Since 2007 China is the world´s largest GHG emitter, ahead of the United States. In 2013 China´s emissions accounted for about 27% of the world´s total.

According to the the three scenarios in the DDP in China Report, by the year 2050 China could reduce its energy- related CO2 emissions by 26-37% below 2010 levels, from 8152 MtCO2 to 5103 - 6044 MtCO2, after peaking in 2025-2030.

In order to meet this target, the necessary changes in the Chinese energy system are:

  1. Energy efficiency and conservation: energy intensity of GDP is reduced 73 percent between 2015 and 2050, with a 2% energy intensity reduction annually. However, final energy consumption increases 62%, as sustained high growth rates in the economy are expected.
  2. Decarbonizing electricity and fuels: the electricity sector carbon intensity decreases 84-91% by 2050, with upscaling of nuclear in the mix.
  3. Switching end uses to low-carbon supplies: electrification and/or use of biomass or synthetic fuels such as hydrogen rises from18% to 34-35%.

 

In addition, the plan includes the adoption of a cap&trade scheme similar to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), and a carbon tax.


Which proposals are included in your plan and how do they fit together?


Explanation of the emissions scenario calculated in the Impact tab


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Timeline


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References

The full DDPP report for China can be found at http://deepdecarbonization.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/DDPP_CHN.pdf