China's energy paradox

This embarrassing situation reflects the difficulty China faces in trying to solve its stubborn air pollution problems.
Undoubtedly China would like to fix its air pollution problem – it creates serious health problems, stirs up social unrest, hurts business and blights China’s PR image. I believe that concerns over air pollution have persuaded China to shift its stance on climate change. Whereas at a similar climate change conference in Copenhagen six years ago China argued that it was unfair to penalise developing countries (such as China) in their development, this year Xi was a cheerleader for the cause.
Moreover he backed up his rhetoric with action: China made an absolute commitment to end its increase in carbon emissions by 2030 and pledged US$3 billion (Bt108.5 billion) to help other developing countries make adjustments.
Although air pollution and carbon emissions are not the same, there is a correlation between them – emissions from coal-fired plants and petrol-driven vehicle exhausts contain not only CO2 but also particulate matter that pollutes the air. Therefore if China can solve its air pollution problems, this should also help to limit its
CO2 emissions.
It is not the whole story though and China faces many serious challenges in trying to meet its targets.
The population is huge and average incomes are still well below those in developed countries. Although China is the top CO2 emitter in the world, per capita it produces much less than countries like the US, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. China is also at a different stage of development – and so it still needs a lot of energy for its industry.
Regardless of these problems the Chinese leadership has vowed to tackle the CO2 and air pollution challenges and is doing so in several ways. One is to develop its renewable energy sector. China has now become the world leader in renewable energy production and hydro production. China also plans to cap coal use to below 65 per cent of total primary energy consumption by 2017 and around 50 per cent by the middle of the century and has set a target of making non-fossil fuels 20 per cent of energy produced by 2030.
It is also trying to make a shift to a service-based economy which will require less energy while systematically reducing the country’s energy intensity – the amount of energy used per unit of gross domestic production growth fell by 3.1 per cent this year and 4.8 per cent in 2014.
So this is China’s energy paradox. Although it is suffering from one of the worst pollution problems in the world right now, it is ahead in many areas. Within a couple of decades it might even be regarded as a pioneer in clean and efficient energy production – and hopefully its cities will be renowned for their bright skies and clean air.