Journal Home Online First Current Issue Archive For Authors Journal Information 中文版

Strategic Study of CAE >> 2021, Volume 23, Issue 6 doi: 10.15302/J-SSCAE-2021.06.011

The International Practices of Policy Mechanism and Social Consensus for Reaching Carbon Neutrality and Their Key Implications to China

Institute of Energy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Funding project:中国工程院咨询项目“国际清洁、低碳发展经验研究”(2021-HZ-10) Received: 2021-10-13 Revised: 2021-11-10 Available online: 2021-12-09

Next Previous

Abstract

Most developed countries have reached their carbon emissions peak and entered a period of rapid decline in emissions. These countries have introduced active measures in efforts to achieve carbon neutrality while occupying a dominant position in emerging industries. This article aims to sort out the policies and mechanisms in the process of achieving carbon peaks, promoting carbon neutrality, and promoting social consensus in developed countries, so as to provide reference for China’s carbon peaks and carbon neutrality. By reviewing the experiences of different developed countries, this study compares and analyzes their lessons, summarizes the inspirations that developed countries have brought to us in terms of carbon neutral policy mechanisms, and provides suggestions for China’s path to carbon neutrality. International experience shows that carbon neutrality is a systematic project that requires multiple measures and orderly progress. While reducing transformation costs, it is necessary to accelerate the cultivation of emerging industries; the realization of the carbon neutrality vision requires a sound market mechanism to accelerate the energy market reform; carbon neutrality is not only a transformation of energy and economy, it will also bring changes to individuals' lifestyles. Therefore, the general social consensus is an important guarantee for the successful realization of carbon neutrality. The research suggests that in order to achieve China’s carbon neutrality goals, we must do a good job of top-level design and a step-by-step action plan of carbon emission reducetion; accelerate and deepen energy market reforms; raise social awareness and promote people’s overall consensus on carbon neutrality; and continue to deepen international cooperation.

References

[ 1 ] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change 2021: The physical science basis: Summary for policymakers [R]. Paris: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021.

[ 2 ] International Energy Agency. Net zero by 2050: A roadmap for the global energy sector [R]. Paris: International Energy Agency, 2021.

[ 3 ] Ding G S, Ding Y C, Li Y, et al. The development prospects of China’s underground gas storage under the carbon neutral strategy [EB/OL]. (2021-10-29) [2021-10-30]. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms/ detail/13.1093.TE.20211028.1418.006.html. Chinese. link1

[ 4 ] Ding J, Fang X S, Song Y T, et al. Conception of electric and hydrogen integrated energy power grid for new energy transmission in western China under the background of carbon neutrality [EB/ OL]. (2021-10-22) [2021-10-30]. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/32.1180.TP.20211022.1336.004.html. Chinese. link1

[ 5 ] International Energy Agency. World energy outlook 2019 [R]. Paris: International Energy Agency, 2019.

[ 6 ] International Renewable Energy Agency. World energy transitions outlook: 1.5℃ pathway [R]. Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency, 2021.

[ 7 ] Larson E. Greig C, Jenkins E J, et al. Net-zero America: potential pathways, infrastructures, and impacts [R/OL]. New Jersey: Princeton University, (2020-12-15) [2021-09-10]. https://netzeroamerica.princeton.edu/the-report. link1

[ 8 ] International Energy Agency. An energy sector roadmap to carbon neutrality in China [R]. Paris: International Energy Agency, 2021.

[ 9 ] Bill G. How to avoid a climate disaster: The solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need [R]. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2021.

[10] Prognos, Oko-Institute, Wuppertal Institute. Towards a climate-neutral Germany by 2045: How Germany can reach its climate targets before 2050 [R]. Berlin: Agora Energiewende and Agora Verkehrswende, 2021.

[11] Strommarktdaten für Deutschland. Electricity generation and consumption in Germany [EB/OL]. (2021-08-08) [2021-09-30]. https://www.smard.de/en. link1

[12] Mackay M, Eric M, Sadie C, et al. Status report on power system transformation: A 21st century power partnership report [EB/OL]. (2015-05-01) [2021-09-30]. www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/63366. pdf. link1

[13] International Energy Agency. Status of power system transformation 2019 power system flexibility [EB/OL]. (2019-05-01) [2021- 09-30]. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/00dd2818- 65f1-426c-8756- 9cc0409d89a8/Status_of_Power_System_Transformation_2019.pdf. link1

[14] Heptonstall P J, Gross R J K. A systematic review of the costs and impacts of integrating variable renewables into power grids [J]. Nature Energy, 2020, 6(1): 1-12. link1

[15] National Development and Reform Commission, National Energy Commission Administration. Guidance on promoting the integration of power source network load storage and multi energy complementary development [EB/OL]. (2021-02-25) [2021-09- 30]. https://www.ndrc.gov.cn/xxgk/zcfb/ghxwj/202103/ t20210305_1269046.html?code=&state=123. Chinese. link1

[16] International Energy Agency. China power system transformation: Assessing the benefit of optimised operations and advanced flexibility options [EB/OL]. (2010-02-01) [2021-09-30]. https:// iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/fd886bb9-27d8-4d5d-a03f38cb34b77ed7/China_Power_System_Transformation.pdf. link1

[17] Bloomberg Finance L.P. Realizing the potential of customer-sited solar [EB/OL]. (2021-09-15) [2021-09-30]. https://assets.bbhub.io/ professional/sites/24/BNEF-Schneider-Electric-Realizing-the-Potential-of-Customer-SitedSolar_FINAL.pdf. link1

[18] Yang L. The future of energy: Digitalization and financial reshaping [M]. Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 2020. Chinese.

[19] Comprehensive Department of National Energy Administration. Notice on publishing the pilot list of roof distributed photovoltaic development in the whole county (city, district) [EB/OL]. (2021-09-08) [2021-09-30]. http://zfxxgk.nea.gov.cn/2021-09/08/ c_1310186582.htm. Chinese. link1

[20] European Commission. Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU strategy for energy system integration [EB/OL]. (2021-07- 08) [2021-09-30]. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1594897435427&uri=CELEX:52020DC0299. link1

[21] European Commission. An SME strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe [EB/OL]. (2020-10-03) [2021-09-30]. https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1593507563224&uri=CELEX- %3A52020DC0103. link1

[22] European Commission. Questions and answers-emissions trading-putting a price on carbon [EB/OL]. (2021-07-14) [2021-09- 30]. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_3542. link1

[23] European Commission. Revision of the EU emission trading system [EB/OL]. (2021-07-14)[2021-09-30]. https://ec.europa.eu/ info/sites/default/files/revision-eu-ets_with-annex_en_0.pdf. link1

[24] Local Government Association. Behaviour change and the environment: Changing behaviours to reduce climate change and protect our environment [EB/OL]. (2021-02-01) [2021-09-20]. https:// www.local.gov.uk/behaviour-change-and-environment. link1

[25] Taylor R. Public engagement with the government’s net zero target [EB/OL]. (2021-05-24) [2021-09-30]. https://lordslibrary.parliament. uk/public-engagement-with-the-governments-net-zero-target/. link1

[26] Demski C. Net zero public engagement and participation [EB/OL]. (2021-03-24) [2021-09-30]. https://assets.publishing.service. gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/969428/net-zero-public-engagement-participationresearchnote.pdf. link1

[27] Giraudet L G, Apouey B, Arab H, et al. Deliberating on climate action: Insights from the French citizens’ convention for climate [EB/OL]. (2021-01-26) [2021-09-30]. https://hal-enpc.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03119539. link1

[28] International Renewable Energy Agency. Renewable energy jobs continue growth to 11.5 million worldwide [EB/OL]. (2020-09- 29) [2021-09-30]. https://www.irena.org/newsroom/pressreleases/2020/Sep/Renewable-Energy-Jobs-Continue-Growth-to-11-5- Million-Worldwide. link1

[29] Cozzi L, Motherway B. The importance of focusing on jobs and fairness in clean energy transitions [EB/OL]. (2020-07-06) [2021- 09-30]. https://www.iea.org/commentaries/the-importance-of focusing-on-jobs-and-fairness-in-clean-energy-transitions. link1

[30] The Official Website of the City of New York. Major green energy infrastructure projects to power New York City with new wind, solar and hydropower (2021) [EB/OL]. (2020-09-20) [2021-09-30]. https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/630- 21/climateweek-major-green-energy-infrastructure-projects-power-newyork-city-new-wind-. link1

[31] C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Urban climate action impacts framework [R]. London: C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, 2021.

Related Research