Page 14 - AsiaElec Week 42 2021

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CLIMATE CHANGE deliverables of Mr Han’s group. China’s pledge to build a “power system
An internal document published by the based on new energy” (which includes green
Chian develops climate State Council in September, that was leaked hydrogen and nuclear), “strictly limit” coal
consumption until 2025 and phase it down
to the Chinese press today, did provide the
policies first glimpse of Beijing’s thinking on the thereafter. The plan will also cover, Mr Xie
noted, measures to “regulate” oil consumption
overarching guidance on decarbonisation
China’s 1+N climate plan will be the first across a range of sectors. The document and improve energy efficiency.
major climate policy document from Beijing includes suggestions of oil consumption The 1+N, alongside China’s impending
since it announced its carbon peaking and “plateauing” in five years’ time, a carbon NDC revision, is an opportunity for Beijing
neutrality targets in 2020, think tank E3G neutrality legislation and a new target to to showcase any new targets in its climate
said. increase the share of non-fossil energy share and energy policy. Policymakers in the UK
Since China announced its new climate to over 80% by 2060. will examine these new policy plans closely
targets at the United Nations General Xie Zhenhua, China’s climate envoy, gave to assess if China is ready to contribute
Assembly in 2020, there has been little official us a preview of the 1+N policy in August. He to a key COP26 outcome on “consigning
guidance for how these targets would be explained that the “1” refers to the “guiding coal to history”. Getting China to end new
translated into policies domestically. The opinions” that sets out the overarching construction of coal power plants is also a key
14th Five-Year Plan, China’s overarching principles of all forthcoming policies that aim diplomatic priority for the US and the EU.
social and economic plan published in March to facilitate China’s peaking and neutrality Given the ongoing power crunch in China
2021, did not outline a clear pathway of how goal. The “N” will include a “carbon peaking and Beijing’s plan to build more “efficient”
China would align development with the new action plan” – a 10-point plan that sets out coal power plants in response, it would be
climate targets. Beijing’s expectations on the actions that key crucial for the 1+N to showcase that recent
In May, a working group headed by Vice sectors are required to take to peak emissions. measures to ramp up coal production are
Premier Han Zheng was set up to lead China’s It will cover actions from all major emitting short-term in nature by putting a clear expiry
emissions peaking efforts. It was seen as a sectors (energy, industry, infrastructure, and date for coal in China’s power system.
move to centralise the authority to drive the transport) as well as other key policy areas for
policy reforms necessary in line with the climate action (circular economy, technology,
country’s climate policy, which currently falls finance, economic policies, carbon trading,
under the purview of the Ministry of Ecology nature-based solutions).
and Environment. The 1+N is one of the key On energy, the plan is expected to reiterate

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