Progress of China's green transformation from the work of "double carbon" in 2023

More effective policies and measures to optimize the industrial structure

-- The progress of China's green transformation from the work of "double carbon"

Recently, a new generation of 18 MW offshore direct drive wind turbine was offline in Fuqing City, Fujian province, which is the world's largest single capacity and largest impeller diameter offshore direct drive wind turbine that has been offline. The unit is continuously output green energy, at an annual average wind speed of 10 meters per second, a single unit can output 72 million degrees per year, which can meet the domestic electricity consumption of 40,000 ordinary families for 1 year, equivalent to saving more than 20,000 tons of standard coal per year and reducing carbon dioxide emissions of more than 55,000 tons.

In Yunnan, the construction sites of Luxi, Anning and other industrial parks are busy, and the green and low-carbon development of the parks has accelerated. In Shandong province, Yantai Haiyang City has pioneered a new model of nuclear heating based on nuclear power plants.

More and more cities, parks, enterprises to "double carbon" work as the lead, to accelerate the pace of green low-carbon transformation, excellent cases continue to emerge, witness China's carbon peak carbon neutral work vivid practice.

In recent years, the three Northeast provinces have accelerated the layout of clean energy based on their resource advantages. Green electricity provided by onshore and offshore wind farms, photovoltaic and biomass power stations is playing an important role in the Northeast's energy supply. Villagers pass solar photovoltaic power generation equipment in Hadaleng village, Fengjia town, Changwu County, Liaoning province. Photo by Long Lei/Xinhua News Agency

The "1+N" policy system has been completed and continues to be implemented

August 15, 2023 is China's first national Ecological Day, on this important day, the National Development and Reform Commission said that China's carbon peak carbon neutral "1+N" policy system has been completed and continues to land. Among them, "1" is the "Opinions on Fully, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept to Achieve Carbon Peak Carbon Neutrality" issued by the CPC Central Committee and The State Council and the "Action Plan for Carbon Peak before 2030" issued by The State Council, playing a leading role in the "1+N" policy system; "N" includes carbon peaking implementation plans in energy, industry, transportation and other sub-sectors, as well as scientific and technological support, energy security, carbon sink capacity and other security plans. At the same time, all provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) have formulated their own action plans for carbon peaking based on the actual conditions of resource and environmental endowments, industrial layout and development stage, and put forward realistic and feasible tasks and objectives.

Since 2023, the policy system related to "dual carbon" has been improved, and the basic capacity of "dual carbon" work has been significantly enhanced.

In July, the second meeting of the Commission for Deepening Overall Reform of the CPC Central Committee deliberated and adopted the Opinions on Promoting the gradual shift from Dual Control of Energy Consumption to dual Control of carbon Emissions. The opinions put forward a planned and step-by-step work arrangement and implementation path for promoting institutional transformation, which will provide strong policy support for accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and helping to promote high-quality development.

In August, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with nine departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology, issued the Implementation Plan for Green and Low-carbon Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects. "The implementation of green and low-carbon advanced technology demonstration projects and the layout of a number of demonstration projects with leading technology levels, outstanding emission reduction effects, obvious demonstration effects, and coordinated pollution and carbon reduction are not only conducive to the application and promotion of advanced and applicable technologies, but also conducive to improving the business model and policy environment supporting the development of green and low-carbon new industries and new forms of business." It is a key measure to promote the competitive advantage of green and low-carbon industries." The relevant person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission said that the focus on the three key directions of source carbon reduction, process carbon reduction, and end carbon sequestration, the layout of a number of projects with leading technology level, outstanding emission reduction effect, coordinated pollution reduction and carbon reduction, and obvious demonstration effect, provides green momentum for high-quality economic and social development.

In November, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with relevant departments, issued the Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of a Product Carbon Footprint Management System, promoting the establishment of a product carbon footprint management system that is in line with the actual national conditions, giving play to the role of the product carbon footprint management system in promoting the green low-carbon transformation of production and life style, and providing support for achieving carbon peak carbon neutrality. The establishment of product carbon footprint management system will help promote industrial upgrading and help enterprises to save energy and reduce carbon. Industry experts believe that the opinions put forward specific measures to optimize product design, improve the energy efficiency of production processes, and reduce waste emissions, which will encourage enterprises to increase technological innovation and green production efforts. At the same time, through the accounting and publicity of the carbon footprint of the product, it is conducive to consumers to understand the environmental performance of the product, so as to guide the market demand to change in the green direction.

Not long ago, the National Development and Reform Commission announced the first batch of carbon peak pilot list, including 25 carbon peak pilot cities and 10 carbon peak pilot parks. Zhao Penggao, deputy director of the Environmental Information Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, said: "The construction of carbon peak pilot cities and parks will effectively stimulate the initiative and creativity of cities and parks, explore the green and low-carbon transformation, provide effective experience for the country to help achieve the goal of 'double carbon'."

Under the support of such a policy system, the "dual carbon" engine is full of momentum, driving China to forge ahead on the road of green and low-carbon transformation.

The picture shows Zhuanghe offshore wind power project in Dalian. At present, Dalian Zhuanghe has built 4 offshore wind power projects, with an installed capacity of 1.05 million kilowatts. Photo by Yang Qing, Xinhua News Agency

Steady progress was made in transforming energy into green and low-carbon energy

On the Gobi Beach, the ten-kilowatt wind power photovoltaic base stretches for hundreds of square kilometers, and a steady stream of green electricity lights up thousands of households through the grid. Under the photovoltaic sea, animal husbandry, agriculture and sand control are pregnant with infinite vitality; On the great river, spanning more than 1,800 kilometers of cascaded hydroelectric corridors, a drop of water generates six times of electricity, flood control, water resources utilization, ecological protection shoulder to shoulder.

In 2023, the "comprehensive smart zero carbon power plant" has been built in many places in the country, this power plant has no workshop, does not burn coal, and gives priority to the "green electricity" generated by "wind, light, water", which combines the scattered power load from factories, shopping malls and even residents' homes, and forms an external equivalent of a "smart power plant" that interacts with the grid and realizes true zero carbon through intelligent regulation.

In the "two-carbon" process, energy, as the largest carbon emission area, its green low-carbon transformation is regarded as the key. While attending COP28, Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Envoy on Climate Change Affairs, said that China's economic and social development has embarked on the track of comprehensive green transformation. The installed capacity of wind, light, water and biomass power generation ranks first in the world, and China has become a major supplier of wind power photovoltaic equipment and power batteries, which has greatly reduced the cost of global renewable energy deployment. To help developing countries gain access to clean, reliable and affordable energy.

Zhu Keli, executive director of the China Information Association and founding director of the National Research Institute of New Economy, said in an interview with a reporter from the China Development and Reform Newspaper: "Under the 'double carbon' goal, the green low-carbon transformation in the energy field is not only an environmental demand, but also an inevitable economic development."

Since the "double carbon" goal was determined, China's green and low-carbon energy transformation has been steadily promoted. According to the relevant person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, based on the basic national conditions of rich coal, poor oil and less gas, China adheres to the first to break, overall planning, and systematically promote the green and low-carbon development of energy. Efforts have been made to promote the clean and efficient use of coal, and a total of more than 520 million kilowatts of energy conservation and carbon reduction, flexibility, and heating upgrades have been completed for coal-fired power units, providing a backstop and supporting and regulating the development of new energy sources. Vigorously develop new energy, as of the end of October 2023, wind power photovoltaic installed capacity reached 940 million kilowatts, renewable energy installed capacity exceeded 1.4 billion kilowatts, historic more than coal power installed capacity.

In 2023, the proportion of green energy in the overall energy structure continues to increase: on the one hand, the rapid development of renewable energy, wind power, solar power and other power generation capacity has been significantly improved. At the same time, the construction of smart grids is also accelerating to better integrate renewable energy and improve utilization efficiency. On the other hand, the use of fossil energy such as coal is developing in the direction of cleanliness.

China Electricity Construction Enterprises Association recently released the third quarter of 2023 China clean energy Construction Prosperity Index (CEPI) shows: In the third quarter of 2023, the new installed power generation capacity of clean energy was 63.53 million kilowatts, accounting for 74.42% of the country's new installed power generation capacity, an increase of 84.09%, and the new power generation capacity of clean energy in the first three quarters of 2023 has exceeded the level of the whole of last year. In the third quarter of 2023, the investment in clean energy was 19.26 billion yuan, an increase of 26.63% year-on-year and 9.37% quarter-on-quarter. The contribution index of the increase of investment in clean energy construction to the increase of national GDP has remained rising year-on-year and month-on-month.

In the future development, the key to the green and low-carbon transformation of energy is to continue to accelerate the development of renewable energy, while promoting the clean use of fossil energy, and strengthen the intelligent integration of energy systems. Looking forward to the future, Zhu Kri believes that more efforts should be made to promote green and low-carbon technological innovation and achieve deep changes in the energy system. At the same time, energy price reform should be further deepened to make clean energy more competitive in the economy, so as to accelerate the optimization of the energy structure and maximize social welfare.

The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023 is being held in Boao, Hainan from March 28 to 31. The annual meeting of the Forum highlights the concept of "double carbon", focuses on green development and energy issues, and implements a series of measures in new energy production and large-scale application, new energy vehicles, green supply chain and energy storage technology to practice the concept of "double carbon". The picture shows the exhibitors of China Energy Construction introducing the booth of "New energy, New infrastructure and new Industries: Green Energy Goes New". Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua News Agency

Technological innovation promotes the rapid development of the industry

Thanks to the huge global demand for green energy and the realization of the "dual carbon" goal, relevant industries have ushered in the opportunity of "lane change overtaking", and some industries have ushered in rapid development through the continuous optimization and upgrading of technological innovation. Among them, the "new three" performance is bright. In the first half of 2023, the total export of the "new three" products represented by solar cells, lithium batteries and electric manned vehicles increased by 61.6%, which is becoming a new driving force for foreign trade growth. These high-tech and high value-added products with low-carbon, green and innovative genes are in line with the development trend and demand of the current international market, relying on comprehensive competitive advantages such as complete industrial chain, perfect infrastructure and large market scale, and have become the new benchmark in China's export products.

Liu Chunsheng, associate professor of Central University of Finance and Economics, admitted in an interview with reporters: "Years of hard work and layout have finally borne fruit." Taking new energy vehicles as an example, China as early as 2001 has already had the relevant industrial development plan, although over the years of continuous adjustment, the process is bumpy, but keep the cloud open see the light, and finally occupy an important place in the global competition of new energy vehicles. In Liu Chunsheng's view, the rise of the "new three" highlights the improvement of China's industrial technological innovation and market competitiveness, as well as the improvement of product quality.

The future development of the "new three" is also facing challenges from technological innovation, competitive pressure, policy support, market demand, resource supply and other aspects.

Taking new energy vehicles as an example, Zhu Kri bluntly said: "The vigorous development of the market is the result of the joint action of technology, market and policy elements, especially thanks to policy support and market demand." This policy intervention effectively solved the problem of insufficient supply and demand of new energy vehicles in the early stage of the market. "However, the lack of charging facilities and the difficulties of battery recycling have exposed the imperfect market mechanism." In this regard, in addition to continuing to increase policy support, it is more necessary to introduce social capital, solve these bottleneck problems through market means, and make the new energy automobile industry move towards a sustainable development path. In the future, new energy vehicles will make technological breakthroughs in intelligent, networked and other aspects, and hydrogen vehicles will continue to innovate in core technologies and gradually enter the market, forming a diversified development pattern, and accelerating the transformation of energy green and low-carbon.

Driven by the "double carbon" goal, the manufacturing industry represented by the "new three" is transforming to high-end, green and intelligent. With the continuous innovation and breakthrough of the "new three kinds" in technology, China's practice in exploring the "double carbon" goal to lead the green low-carbon transformation will also be more rich and diversified.

Recently, the pipeline corridor project of Tangshan Seaport Economic Development Zone in Hebei Province was completed and put into trial operation. According to reports, the total investment of the project is 1.096 billion yuan, the corridor is 8 kilometers long, and the port enterprises transport ore, coal and other bulk materials from the dock yard through three pipe belt conveyors, with an annual transportation capacity of 39 million tons, which will effectively alleviate the traffic congestion caused by automobile transportation, reduce air pollution, and promote the green development of regional economy. The picture shows vehicles passing on the highway next to the pipeline conveyor corridor of Tangshan Harbor Economic Development Zone.

We will build a new pattern of green, low-carbon and high-quality development

Zhao Penggao said in an interview with the media that although the domestic "dual carbon" work still faces some difficulties and challenges, as long as the Party Central Committee and The State Council make decisions and deployments, continue to implement the carbon peak carbon neutral "1+N" policy system, and steadily promote the "carbon peak ten actions", we will be able to successfully achieve the carbon peak goal.

Looking forward to 2024, the issue of how to build a new pattern of green, low-carbon and high-quality development in the future has attracted much attention. A series of recent meetings have also made specific deployment of relevant work, pointing out the direction for the future "dual carbon" work.

The Central Economic Work Conference called for deepening the construction of ecological civilization and green and low-carbon development. We will build a pilot zone for a beautiful China and a highland for green and low-carbon development. We will actively yet prudently promote peak carbon neutrality and accelerate the building of a green and low-carbon supply chain. We will continue to fight hard to protect our blue sky, clear water and clean land. We will improve the mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products. We will reform the system of collective forest rights. We will accelerate the development of a new type of energy system, strengthen the efficient and efficient use of resources, and improve our ability to ensure energy and resources security.

The recent National Development and Reform Work Conference made it clear that we will further strengthen overall planning and balance, promote overall high-quality development and high-level security, and make new achievements in promoting carbon reduction, pollution reduction and green growth in a coordinated manner. We will strengthen security in food, energy and resources, industrial and supply chains, and data. We will improve people's well-being through high-quality development, and continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation. We will strengthen the conservation, intensive, circular and efficient use of resources, actively yet prudently promote carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, do a good job of dual control of energy consumption, accelerate energy-saving transformation, expand renewable energy consumption, and gradually shift from "dual control" of energy consumption to "dual control" of carbon emissions.

In 2023, the National energy conservation and environmental protection work to promote the on-site meeting and the national Development and reform of environmental information work conference requirements, continue to do a good job of carbon peak carbon neutral work, effectively perform the "double carbon" related coordination responsibilities, improve the standard system, and solidly promote pilot demonstration construction. We will make greater efforts to promote energy conservation, carry out special actions to improve energy efficiency, and resolutely curb the blind launch of "two high and one low" projects. We will promote the development of a pilot zone for a beautiful China, promote comprehensive green transformation in economic and social development, and improve the market-based allocation system of resources and environmental factors. We will promote resource conservation and recycling, accelerate the establishment of a waste recycling system, and strive to save and reduce grain losses. Strengthen the construction of environmental infrastructure, do a good job of plastic pollution and excessive packaging control, and deepen the battle against pollution prevention and control. We will vigorously promote green and low-carbon international cooperation and strengthen practical cooperation in climate change, green and low-carbon, energy efficiency and circular economy.

Zhu Kri believes that in the process of realizing the "double carbon" goal, green and low-carbon development has broad prospects and great potential. Next, we should encourage enterprises to increase investment in research and development, promote green technology innovation, improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, accelerate the promotion of energy transformation, support the development of green industries, encourage enterprises to develop green products and provide green services, and promote industrial upgrading and sustainable economic development. In response to the "double carbon" goal how to lead the green transformation, Liu Chunsheng made the above suggestions in an interview with reporters. At the same time, he also mentioned the need to strengthen cooperation with the international community in low-carbon and green development, and jointly cope with global challenges such as climate change.