China’s Climate Efforts

Munhal Dharejo

For a long time, we’ve heard about the climate crisis and global changes, often dismissing it as something that would happen far into the future. However, the reality is unfolding faster and more urgently than anticipated. The global temperature has, for the first time, exceeded the 2°C mark for two consecutive days above pre-industrial average. This signals that the world is sinking into a quagmire of environmental crises and extreme temperatures, jeopardizing the goals set by the Paris Accord in 2015, which aimed to limit global warming to below 2°C. Reports indicate that major contributors to CO2 emissions include the USA, India, China, Brazil, and the 28 countries of the European Union.

China is always in the spotlight in the discussions of climate change for a few reasons. Firstly, China has a lot of people, This isn’t a problem on its own, but when you have a massive population with growing needs, the demand for energy goes through the roof. More energy consumption means more emissions, and that’s where the environmental alarm bells start ringing. Secondly, China’s journey to becoming an economic powerhouse leaned heavily on the use of coal. This wasn’t just any coal – it was the driving force behind China’s rapid growth and development. This powerful source fueled factories, powered cities, and lifted millions of people out of poverty. It was a phase of progress that we can’t ignore for its positive impact on people’s lives. However, every story has its shadows, and China’s growth spurt came with a big one – a cloud of carbon emissions. These emissions made China the biggest contributor to the greenhouse gases that are causing our planet to warm up. On one side, it brought prosperity and a better life for many. On the other, it added to the global challenge of climate change, affecting not just China but the entire world.

However, China is playing a very significant role in combating climate change and reducing its carbon footprint. In 2016, China promised to limit how much carbon it releases into the air by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement, a global effort to combat climate change. Before a big climate conference in 2021, China updated its promises, saying it would not only control emissions by 2030 but also aim to be carbon neutral by 2060, Over the last ten years, China has been gradually reducing its reliance on coal. In 2010, a whopping 69.2% of its energy came from coal, but by 2020, that number dropped to 56.8%. While it’s progress, it’s still on the high side compared to other countries. China is investing big time in renewable energy, like wind and solar power. In 2020, China’s wind power made up 39% of the world’s total, and its solar power made up 36%. In June 2022, China introduced a new plan to use even more renewable energy – the goal is to consume 1 billion tonnes of standard coal equivalent by 2025. This move could cut down carbon emissions by a massive 2.6 billion tonnes every year. They’re investing in electric vehicles, By June 2022, nearly 10 million of these electric vehicles were cruising around China – that’s more than half of all the electric cars in the world.

Although, China’s efforts to reduce its reliance on coal and embrace renewable energy are noteworthy. The decrease in coal use and the ambitious plans for more renewable energy show a commitment to a cleaner future. This is important not only for China but for the whole world, as it tackles the global challenge of climate change. Of course, challenges remain, and the transition won’t happen overnight. But the fact that China is setting targets and actively working on reducing carbon emissions, both at home and abroad, is a step in the right direction. It’s a journey, and China seems to be on the path to a greener and more sustainable future.

The writer is a student of International relations at Karachi University.