On May 12, 2022, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a series of themed press conferences on "China in the Past Decade". Hu Zucai, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, attended the conference to introduce the construction and reform in the economic and ecological civilization fields and answer reporters' questions.

Reporter from Hong Kong China Review News: We have noticed that the "dual carbon" work has been incorporated into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction. Could you tell us about the progress made in achieving this goal and how it will be promoted in the next step?


Hu Zucai:

The goal of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality is a major strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core after careful consideration. It marks that China's ecological civilization construction has entered a critical period with carbon reduction as the key strategic direction, which is of great and far-reaching significance for promoting green and low-carbon transformation and high-quality development.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, historic and great achievements have been made in green and low-carbon transformation and development, which is one of the fields where the people have gained the most sense of fulfillment. There are mainly the following three aspects:

First, significant progress has been made in the green and low-carbon transformation of energy. China's installed capacity of renewable energy has exceeded 1 billion kilowatts, with hydropower, wind power, solar power and biomass power installed capacity ranking first in the world. The proportion of clean energy consumption has increased from 14.5% to 25.5%. Remarkable results have been achieved in the clean and efficient utilization of coal, with the scale of ultra-low emission coal-fired power units exceeding 1 billion kilowatts, and the energy efficiency and emission levels leading the world.

Second, remarkable results have been achieved in energy conservation and emission reduction. China has supported an average annual economic growth of 6.5% with an average annual energy consumption growth of 3%. The energy consumption intensity has dropped by 26.2% cumulatively, which is equivalent to saving 1.4 billion tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2.94 billion tons. The reduction in carbon dioxide emission intensity per unit of GDP has exceeded the self-committed target.

Third, the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has been deeply rooted in the people's hearts. A simple, moderate, green, low-carbon and civilized and healthy lifestyle is becoming a conscious choice of more people.

Since the "dual carbon" goals were put forward in 2020, under the personal planning, deployment and promotion of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the top-level design for carbon peak and carbon neutrality has been completed, the "1+N" policy system has been basically established, and the work of carbon peak and carbon neutrality has been steadily and orderly promoted, achieving a good start. At present and in the period to come, we will focus on the following five aspects of work:

First, strengthen overall coordination. We will continue to improve the "1+N" policy system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and N supporting policy documents involving multiple industries and fields are being introduced at an accelerated pace. We will organize and implement the "Ten Actions for Carbon Peak" and establish a unified and standardized carbon emission statistics and accounting system.

Second, vigorously promote the energy revolution. We will vigorously develop new energy, plan and construct 450 million kilowatts of large-scale wind and photovoltaic bases in deserts, gobi and desert areas, and 85 million kilowatts of projects have already started construction. The preliminary work for the second batch of projects is being stepped up to accelerate the construction of a new energy supply and consumption system. We will improve the level of clean and efficient utilization of coal, and all coal-fired power units with a coal consumption rate of more than 300 grams per kilowatt-hour for power supply will be upgraded and transformed. It should be emphasized here that China's basic national condition is being rich in coal, poor in oil and short of gas. The gradual withdrawal of traditional energy must be based on the safe and reliable replacement of new energy. We must adhere to establishing first and then breaking, so as to achieve safe carbon reduction.

Third, vigorously promote the green and low-carbon transformation and development of industries. We will step up efforts to promote energy efficiency compliance transformation in key industries, accelerate the research, development and promotion of advanced and applicable technologies, actively develop green finance, and standardize the development of the carbon market. We will resolutely curb the blind development of high-energy-consuming, high-emission and low-level projects.

Fourth, vigorously advocate a green lifestyle. We will guide green and low-carbon consumption, advocate green travel, carry out green and low-carbon social actions, and make green lifestyle a new social trend.

Fifth, actively participate in global climate governance. We will carry out multilateral and bilateral dialogues, exchanges and practical cooperation, and promote the construction of a fair, reasonable and win-win global environmental governance system.

Achieving the "dual carbon" goals is an extensive and profound systematic economic and social reform, which cannot be achieved easily. We must fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, follow the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, maintain strategic focus, keep an eye on the "dual carbon" goals, work steadily and persistently, avoid "carbon rush" and campaign-style "carbon reduction", promote the "dual carbon" work in an orderly, forceful and effective manner, and continuously achieve new results.


(Source: Official website of the National Development and Reform Commission)