‘Two sessions’ 2023: China puts spotlight back on fossil fuel and emission targets for post-Covid rebound

Name: China's 'two sessions': Premier Li Keqiang emphasises achievements, economy in final work report
Uploaded: 2023-03-07T08:00:08.000Z
Duration: 2 min 52 s
Description: China's 'two sessions': Premier Li Keqiang emphasises achievements, economy in final work report

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says China will ‘support green development’ and continue cutting energy intensity and the emission of major pollutants

The pledge comes as localities push post-pandemic economic goals deemed a risk to the country’s climate ambitions

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On Sunday, as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in his government work report that China would cut its energy intensity and emissions, the Great Hall of the People stood against a backdrop of Beijing pollution. Photo: Reuters

Echo Xie

Published: 4:00pm, 7 Mar 2023Updated: 4:11pm, 7 Mar 2023

China has vowed to tackle pollution and contain fossil fuel consumption this year as the country makes an expected economic rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his final government work report on Sunday, Premier Li Keqiang said China would continue cutting its energy intensity and the emission of major pollutants.

“[We should] continue the transition to green development,” Li said. “We should improve policies to support green development … and promote efficient and intensive use of resources.”

That goal was also underlined by the country’s top economic planner.

In its annual report delivered to the national legislature, the National Development and Reform Commission said China would act on 10 major initiatives for reaching peak carbon emissions “in a well-planned and phased way”.

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China's 'two sessions': Premier Li Keqiang emphasises achievements, economy in final work report

The 10 major initiatives were released by the State Council in 2021 as part of an action plan to realise President Xi Jinping’s pledge to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030. China also aims to be carbon neutral by 2060.