China’s president, Xi Jinping promised to start a “green revolution” to make the country carbon neutral by 2060. For that China will need to reduce their carbon emissions but also develop carbon offsetting projects. This is an unprecedented challenge for the world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases.
During his virtual speech at the 75th United Nations Assembly, Xi promised to develop a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This means that by 2060 China will absorb all greenhouse gas emissions. This goal is key, in order to limit global warming to 1.5 °C by the middle of the century, when global climate reports forecast worst-case scenarios for that time.
Humanity cannot continue to allow itself to ignore the repeated warnings of nature and continue to enter the path of extracting resources without investing in conservation
Xi Jinping
China was already in the right direction. There was a previous goal of limiting its emissions before 2030. Xi Jinping added to this previous goal, he promised to start a “green revolution”. It would represent a serious challenge to the economy and industry of the Asian giant.
A “green revolution”
Xi’s speech needs to be evaluated cautiously. China is the most polluting country in the world. China emits on its own, more CO2 than the 28 countries of the European Union combined. However if we consider the CO2 per capita, China is doing much better than Australia, United States and Canada.
This represents a great challenge that will involve a more efficient industry, and shutting down or renovating a large number of relatively modern fossil fuel power plants. Since 2000, the world has doubled its coal-fired power capacity to around 2,045 gigawatts (GW) after explosive growth in China and India. A further 200GW is being built and 300GW is planned. The announcement is important but it’s only a first step for China to effectively become carbon neutral.
China’s turn to the environment: a question of profitability?
Another point of concern is China’s investments in Africa. In recent years, Beijing has developed several mega-projects including coal-fired power plants in Nigeria, Egypt, Angola, Ethiopia and Algeria. It is important that the future developments and projects are consistent with the message from the chinese leader.
Several experts agree, that 2060 “is the closest realistic date” for the Asian power to materialize its promises. The 2060 target is less ambitious than the 2050 target, adopted by European Union countries among others.
China’s announcement is seen as an important first step that will help to to save the Paris Agreement. The treaty was in a difficult situation after the United States announced its departure in 2017.
The United States, which stepped aside, could re-enter the race. The Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States, Joe Biden, stressed that, if he wins the elections, his country will commit to reaching carbon neutrality in 2050 as a last resort.
While a specific plan needs to be presented with concrete actions and programs, it is a first step. China is the fourth largest oil producer in the world. But the oil industry crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, could be one of the reasons that explain this turnaround.
While China will wait until 2060, you can choose to become carbon neutral today.
Learn how here or click below to get started.
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