China's Fight Against Pollution And Climate Change

China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been taking steps to reduce pollution and combat climate change. In 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared a war against pollution, allocating significant resources to tackle the issue. Since then, China has implemented various measures, including restricting the number of cars on the road in large cities, introducing all-electric bus fleets, shutting down coal mines, and investing in renewable energy sources. China has also been participating in international climate negotiations and has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. While China's efforts have led to a swift reduction in pollution, the country still faces challenges, such as high emissions levels and the impact of climate change on food security and water systems.

China's wind and solar capacity is growing at a record pace, reaching 1,206 GW in July 2024

China's wind and solar capacity is growing at a record pace, reaching an estimated 1,206 GW in July 2024. This remarkable growth underscores China's commitment to renewable energy and its leading position in addressing climate change and reducing pollution.

China's renewable energy sector has experienced a boom in recent years, driven by strong government support and initiatives. Between March 2023 and March 2024, China installed more solar capacity than in the previous three years combined, surpassing the rest of the world for that year. This rapid expansion can be attributed to the advantages of lower investment costs, ease of installation, and robust policy support, making distributed solar more popular in the market.

China's wind power sector has also witnessed significant growth. According to the Global Wind Power Tracker, there has been a 51 GW wind capacity increase since 2023, a growth that exceeds the total operating capacity of any country, except the United States. This growth is set to continue with the second and third waves of "mega wind & solar bases" expected to come online between 2025 and 2030, adding a combined capacity of approximately 503 GW.

The country's solar sector is on track to break more records. Rystad Energy modeling predicts that China's total installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity will exceed 1,000 GW by the end of 2026, just three years after surpassing the 500 GW mark in 2023. This significant acceleration is expected to continue, with about 165 GW projected to be added in 2024 and 170 GW in 2025.

China's efforts in renewable energy development have had a positive impact on reducing pollution and mitigating climate change. The Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program, supported by the World Bank, has contributed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.5 million tons per year. Additionally, China's green transformation is being led by its private sector and companies, which dominate the global market for renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, lithium batteries, and electric vehicles.

As China continues to invest in and develop its renewable energy infrastructure, it is crucial to address challenges related to grid flexibility and storage capacity to efficiently utilize the increasing volume of clean energy generated. Despite these challenges, China's unwavering commitment to building renewables projects and its position as the global leader in wind and solar capacity bode well for its efforts to combat climate change and reduce pollution.

China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases

China's rapid economic growth has come at a cost. The country has experienced dangerous levels of air pollution, with particulate pollution in 2013 reaching some of its highest levels. This air pollution has had serious adverse impacts on human health, causing more than 1.1 million deaths every year and costing the economy $37 billion annually due to pollution-induced crop failure. In response, the Chinese government declared a "war on air pollution" and put in place comprehensive programs to tackle the issue. These programs have included investing in renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency, and tightening air pollution controls.

China's efforts to reduce pollution and combat climate change have yielded significant results. Between 2013 and 2020, particulate pollution in China declined by 39.6%, adding about two years to average life expectancy if these reductions are sustained. Beijing experienced the largest decline, with concentrations falling by 55% in seven years, adding 4.6 years to lives if sustained. China has also made progress in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, with the World Bank-supported Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program reducing emissions by 2.5 million tons per year.

While China's emissions are projected to peak before 2025, the country still relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, as its primary energy source. To further reduce emissions and address climate change, China could take several additional steps. These include controlling and reducing fossil fuel dependence, improving the formulation and coverage of its climate targets, and accelerating the decarbonization of high-emitting industry sectors. China's leadership in renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles positions it to play a central role in global efforts to address climate change.

China's air pollution policies have added 2.4 years to its citizens' life expectancy

China has been taking steps to reduce pollution and combat climate change. In 2013, the country experienced some of its highest pollution levels, and public awareness and criticism reached new heights. The following year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared a "war against pollution," allocating substantial public resources to combat pollution.

China's strict policy action has led to a swift reduction in pollution. From 2013 to 2020, particulate pollution in China declined by 39.6%, adding about 2 years to average life expectancy if these reductions are sustained. Beijing experienced the most significant decline, with concentrations falling from 85 to 38 μg/m3 in seven years, a 55% decline, adding 4.6 years to lives if sustained.

China's air quality policies have not only reduced pollution but also improved the life expectancy of its citizens. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a Chinese policy unintentionally caused people in northern China to live 3.1 years less than those in the south due to higher air pollution concentrations. The study found that every additional 10 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter pollution reduces life expectancy by 0.6 years.

China's efforts to improve air quality are yielding significant results. The country's air quality policies have led to a swift reduction in pollution, and if these improvements are sustained, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live 2.2 years longer. Beijing province experienced the largest decline in pollution, and if this success is maintained, residents could expect to live 4.2 years longer.

China's success in reducing pollution is even more remarkable when compared to the United States and Europe, which took several decades and recessions to achieve similar pollution reductions. As China continues its "war against pollution," there is an opportunity to place more emphasis on market-based approaches to reduce pollution further and lower costs.

China's air pollution policies have added approximately 2.4 years to its citizens' life expectancy, and this number could continue to grow if the country sustains its efforts and builds on its success.

China has invested over $100 billion in aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs

China has been taking several steps to reduce pollution and combat climate change. One of its most notable efforts is its investment of over $100 billion in aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs.

China has a long history of environmental degradation caused by deforestation, with visible signs of this dating back to 2,000 years ago when tree-felling along "The River" (now known as the Yellow River) led to massive erosion and sedimentation. In more recent times, following World War II, China's booming population and rapid industrialization further contributed to widespread deforestation as land was cleared for agriculture and fuel.

Recognizing the need to address this issue, China has launched ambitious initiatives to increase its forest cover. One such initiative is the Three Norths Shelterbelt Development Program, also known as the "Great Green Wall." This project, which began in 1978 and is slated to continue until 2050, aims to plant nearly 90 million acres of new forest in a band stretching 2,800 miles across northern China. The goal is to combat desertification and soil erosion by creating a protective belt of forests. While there have been concerns about the viability of this project, particularly regarding the planting of non-native tree species, it still stands as a testament to China's commitment to reforestation.

In addition to the Great Green Wall, China has implemented other programs to support its afforestation and reforestation goals. The Grain for Green Program, launched in 1999, aimed to convert steeply sloped or ecologically fragile farmland into forests or grasslands. Under this program, farmers were provided with subsidies and compensation to stop cultivation and allow for natural forest regeneration. China has also enforced a nationwide ban on felling natural forests between 2014 and 2017 and revised its Forestry Law in 2020 for the comprehensive protection of natural forests.

Furthermore, China has been an active participant in international agreements and collaborations related to conservation and sustainable forest management. At the CoP26 in Glasgow, China and the US made a joint statement recognizing the importance of ending illegal deforestation to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement. China has also been working with organizations like the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance to develop projects that focus on restoring native species.

China's efforts in afforestation and reforestation have had significant impacts. Between 2013 and 2020, particulate pollution in China declined by 39.6%, adding about two years to the average life expectancy if these reductions are sustained. Beijing, in particular, experienced a 55% decline in pollution levels during this period. While challenges remain, China's aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs, backed by substantial investments, demonstrate its dedication to tackling pollution and mitigating climate change.

China's energy transition investments in non-fossil energy, storage, and electric vehicles remain a global leader

China's energy transition investments in non-fossil energy, storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) remain a global leader. China has established itself as a green energy leader, with an unparalleled rollout of renewable energy and export of renewable technology. China's energy transition is motivated by energy independence and decarbonisation. While fossil fuels will still account for 40% of its energy mix in 2050, China is on track to reduce its energy use by 20% by 2050, driven by electrification and energy efficiency improvements.

China is the world's largest new energy vehicle (NEV) market, with NEV ownership reaching 13.1 million by the end of 2022, a 67.13% increase from 2021. Electric vehicles made up 79.78% of this vast NEV fleet. China's NEV market has been rapidly developing, with growing market participants and competition in the industry.

China holds a dominant position in the EV supply chain, with over three-quarters of the world's battery production capacity. China also houses more than half of the world's processing and refining capacity for lithium, cobalt, and graphite, which are essential materials for making EV batteries.

China has implemented supportive policies to bolster the growth of the EV industry, including substantial tax incentives. For example, in 2023, China unveiled a RMB 520 billion (US$72.3 billion) tax incentive package spanning four years, offering tax breaks and exemptions for EVs and environmentally friendly vehicles.

China's firms produce nearly two-thirds of the world's EVs and more than three-quarters of EV batteries. They have also produced notable innovations in EV products, processes, and customer experiences. Chinese EV companies are 30% faster in developing and releasing new car models than their American, European, and Japanese competitors.

China is also a leader in renewable energy investments, with wind delivering 9.4% of the country's total electricity supply in 2023. By mid-century, China is projected to be the world's largest wind market. Solar energy has also been on the rise, accounting for 5% of power generation in 2023, up from less than 1% in 2015.

China's energy transition investments are not limited to EVs and renewable energy. The country has also been investing in energy storage capacities, with plans to expand natural gas storage capacity to 55-60 billion cubic meters by 2025. This expansion will account for about 13% of the country's total natural gas consumption.

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