On December 12, 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 countries to address the urgent issue of climate change. The aim of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. China, the world`s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has made a significant commitment to the Paris Agreement.
China pledged to peak its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030, and to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy consumption to around 20% by the same year. It also set a target to reduce carbon intensity by 60-65% below 2005 levels by 2030. Carbon intensity refers to the amount of CO2 emissions per unit of GDP.
In the years following the Paris Agreement, China has made significant progress towards achieving its commitments. In 2017, China`s CO2 emissions were estimated to have peaked, four years ahead of schedule. The share of non-fossil fuels in China`s primary energy consumption reached 15.3% in 2020, up from 12% in 2015. China has also been leading the world in renewable energy deployment, with the largest installed capacity of wind and solar power.
China`s commitment to the Paris Agreement is crucial to the success of the global effort to address climate change. As the world`s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China`s actions are critical in shaping the trajectory of global emissions. China`s progress towards meeting its commitments sends a strong signal to other countries to also take action to reduce emissions.
However, there are still challenges to be addressed. China`s use of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, remains a major obstacle to achieving its climate goals. Despite the country`s progress in renewable energy deployment, coal still accounts for over half of China`s primary energy consumption. China also faces challenges in addressing emissions from the transportation sector, which is the fastest-growing source of CO2 in the country.
In conclusion, China`s commitment to the Paris Agreement is a significant step towards addressing the urgent issue of climate change. The country has made significant progress towards achieving its commitments, but there are still challenges to be addressed. China`s actions are crucial in shaping the global effort to reduce emissions, and other countries must also take action to address climate change.