'Two carbon' goals require emissions-development balance

The State Council, China's Cabinet, recently issued a comprehensive program outlining the main targets, key projects, and concrete policies and mechanisms for the country's energy conservation and emissions reduction during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

The program listed a timetable and road map for China to accelerate the establishment of a green, low-carbon and circular development economic system, promote the green transformation of economic and social development, and achieve the goal of carbon emissions peaking and carbon neutrality.

Fulfilling the "two carbon" goals is an inherent requirement for China to implement the new development paradigm and promote high-quality development. But the task is so complex, it will require the building of a consensus in society and a well-devised top-level policy design.

China has always attached great importance to energy conservation and emissions reduction. After years of struggle, it has made substantial progress in reducing energy intensity and the total discharge of pollutants, and in improving the efficiency of resource utilization and the quality of the ecological environment. China is aware of the many difficulties and challenges in achieving the "two carbon" goals, and the considerable gap between its ecological and environmental quality and people's needs.

Only by improving the efficiency of energy and resources utilization and ensuring the safe and stable supply of energy and resources can it consolidate and improve the effectiveness of environmental governance and realize the "two-carbon" goals.

According to the program, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP will drop 13.5 percent by 2025 from the 2020 level and total energy consumption will be under reasonable control. The program also deploys 10 key energy conservation and emissions reduction projects. The plan is to reduce energy consumption per unit of added value of industrial enterprises above designated scale by 13.5 percent, and water consumption per 10,000 yuan ($1,575) of added value of industrial enterprises by 16 percent during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Achieving the "two carbon" goals is an extensive and profound transformation, and China should adhere to a systematic approach, strike a balance between emissions reduction and development, and accelerate the formation of industrial structures, modes of production, lifestyles and spatial patterns beneficial to conserving resources and protecting the environment. Only by establishing a green, low-carbon and circular development economic system can China promote green transformation in economic development and achieve greater development in green transformation.