China to Impose Targets on Regions to Cut Carbon Intensity

The Chinese government will impose regional emissions targets as part of a national drive to cut the economy’s carbon intensity by 2020, according to a report. While China is studying the potential of a domestic carbon market to achieve its carbon targets, a working group will also be established to develop targets and policies at the regional level, said Su Wei, director general of the climate change department for the government’s National Development and Reform Commission.

China, the world’s largest energy consumer, has set a target of cutting its carbon intensity — the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of GDP growth — by 40 to 45 percent of 2005 levels by 2020. “Since China has a binding carbon intensity target, each region will have a sub-target and the major carbon-intensive industry sectors should have their own responsibilities,” Su told the publication Carbon Point. While the Chinese government forced high energy-consuming industries to limit their output during the latter half of 2010 in order to meet 2006-2010 efficiency goals, Hu said that will not be the model going forward.