Clean energy takes stage in China as national interests evolve
David Fullbrook says security and pollution are drivers behind a shift towards renewables
Energy policy in China has reached a turning point. Clean energy, recent comments and actions suggest, is moving centre stage in response to shifting national interests and global responsibilities.
Last month, President Xi Jinping placed energy efficiency and switching from conventional coal to cleaner coal, oil, gas and new energy at the top of the energy agenda. Xi highlighted two policy drivers with great significance for renewable energy. One, produce more energy within China to increase security. Two, reduce pollution.
Energy pollution includes soot and carbon dioxide. Tackling soot that is choking cities has become part of the national interest. Dealing with carbon is a global responsibility falling most heavily on the largest emitters, including China.
Carbon made headlines last month when He Jiankun, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Climate Change, speaking personally, suggested capping emissions in the 13th five-year plan spanning 2016-2020. Xie Zhenhua , National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) vice-chairman and a leading climate negotiator, insisted work was ongoing to bring emissions down earlier rather than later.
Renewable energy helps solve security and pollution problems, while creating jobs. Moreover, solar and wind, unlike thirsty coal and gas power plants, do not threaten tenuous water security in China's dry, populous and grain-producing north. Renewable energy will therefore draw more attention as two deadlines for action loom in 2015.
The next five-year plan is due by the fourth quarter of that year followed by an international decarbonisation deal in December.