Energy system transformations and carbon emission mitigation for China to achieve global 2 °C climate target. (15th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Guangpu; Yu, Biying; An, Runying; Wu, Yun; Zhao, Zihao
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 292(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-15
• Subjects: Climate change -- 2 °C target -- Energy system -- Low-carbon transition -- Technology pathway -- Linear optimization model; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112721
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: The Paris Agreement calls for countries to pursue efforts to limit global-mean temperature rise to 2 °C compared to the pre-industrial level. To achieve this, it is essential to accelerate the low-carbon transition of energy system. China is the largest carbon emitter and plays a decisive role in mitigating global climate change. The transition pathways for China to contribute to meeting the global 2 °C target, however, have not been extensively explored. Here we develop a bottom-up national energy technology model (C 3 IAM/NET), a linear optimization model, to reveal the energy consumption, carbon emissions and technology pathway at the national and sectoral levels in line with the 2 °C climate target. Results show that China's carbon emissions need to peak at the year 2023 and reduce to 3.56 GtCO2 by mid-century. During the 2020–2050 planning horizon, the remaining carbon budget is estimated to be controlled within 234 GtCO2, with a cumulative emission reduction of 165.3 GtCO2, of which the power sector bearing the largest share of responsibility, followed by the industry, transportation and building sectors. We project that China's primary energy consumption needs to peak before 2040 and the proportion of non-fossil energy in energy structure needs to reach 76% by 2050, and about 88.4% of electricity production comes from renewables and nuclear energy. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The economically low-carbon transition pathway of China's energy system is discovered. The optimal carbon emissions pathway at national and industrial levels is analyzed. China's CO2 emissions need to peak at the year 2023 to achieve 2 °C target. The power sector bearing the largest share of CO2 emission reduction responsibility. The proportion of non-fossil energy in total energy needs to reach 76% by 2050.