China’s 2030 carbon reduction goal to spare food industry from reforms as security takes priority
- China has set a goal of reaching peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060
- But report commissioned by the New Zealand China Council says China is likely to delay efforts to deliver on agricultural sustainability goals at least until 2030
China’s focus on environmental problems in its food industry is set to only accelerate after passing an initial carbon reduction goal in 2030, with food security set to remain a priority in the short term, according to a new report.
But after China achieves its stated goal of reaching peak carbon dioxide emissions across all sectors before 2030, it would likely double down on reforms, said Even Pay, an agriculture analyst with Trivium China, the author of the report commissioned by the New Zealand China Council.
“China doesn’t need agricultural help before that year,” Pay told a webinar on Monday.
But leading up to 2060, when China aims to achieve carbon neutrality, it would likely be different, she said.
China can be expected to delay highly ambitious, costly, or punitive regulatory efforts
“Once China tries to pursue neutrality it will need the agricultural sector to contribute to that goal,” she added.
Emissions from the agricultural sector are not being built into China’s plans to reach peak greenhouse gas emissions before 2030, said the “Tasting the future: China’s Sustainable Protein Outlook” report.
“China can be expected to delay highly ambitious, costly, or punitive regulatory efforts to deliver on agricultural sustainability goals at least until 2030, and likely beyond – seeking to ensure an ample, stable, and affordable supply of key food products first, and pursue sustainability as a second priority,” the report said.
China would put food security ahead of environmental concerns, aside from “visible” issues such as agrochemical run-off and water pollution from livestock waste, it added.