China’s road to net zero

Responsible for a staggering 50% of the world’s coal demand, the fossil fuel with the greatest CO2 emissions, and the world’s top emitter of CO2, ahead of the USA and India, China’s vast economy, population and industrial complex faces huge challenges to reach Net Zero.

However, in becoming the world’s biggest producer of solar energy it has brought down clean energy prices globally. Meanwhile, China’s scale up of EV infrastructure, with over 1 million charging ports (51% of the global total), is undeniably impressive. It is also a dominant manufacturer of lithium batteries and wind turbines, other crucial elements of a green energy transition.

China has pledged to reach “peak emissions” by 2030 and to achieve Net Zero by 2060. But despite its achievements so far in advancing green technologies, it will require trillions of dollars of further investment and to reduce its reliance on coal.

The planet’s hopes of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C are reliant on China. But can it achieve its emissions targets and even lead the way in helping other nations reach theirs?

Speakers:

• Chunping Xie—formerly Senior Policy Fellow at Grantham Instutute, now Climate Economist at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
• Dr Angel Hsu—Associate Professor of Public Policy and Environment, Ecology and Energy, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and founder and director of the Data-Driven EnviroLab.
• Hongqiao Liu—Award-winning journalist, independent consultant and founder of the Shuang Tan newsletter aimed at fostering informed decision-making about China’s energy transition and climate action.
• Celia Hatton (Chair)—BBC News Asia Pacific Regional Editor.