Future abnormal weather changes were forecast in the IPCC report. Frequency of
abnormal weather events increased in China, such as drought in the Yellow
River, flood in the Yangtze River, and worsening desertification. The radicalization of destruction increased scientific awareness of climate change. Furthermore, most measures against global warming, especially CO 2 reduction
measures such as energy saving and new energy measures, also had domestic
relevance, leading to synergistic benefits from CO 2 reduction. While reducing
CO 2 , energy structures can be improved, clean and renewable energy introduced, energy security increased, industrial structure and energy saving and
utilization efficiency improved, and pollution issues such as acid rain
addressed. Synergistic benefits including significant afforestation, limiting
population growth, and realization of a low-carbon society are goals that
should be pursued by developing and developed countries alike, since their
importance in the future is being gradually recognized.
Stage 3 (2005–2015: Adopted Paris Agreement): Cooperation
In 2006, carbon dioxide emissions from China (6004 Mt) surpassed those of the
United States (5602 Mt) for the first time, and China became the largest global
emitter. However, per capita emissions in 2018 were 6.8 tons, only 43% of the
United States’ 15.8 tons. China began to be actively involved in the climate
framework (international cooperation on CO 2 reduction and domestic actions)
while still adhering to the principles of the developed country responsibility
theory and “not complying with legal reduction obligations.” In particular, in
China, it is striving to realize a low-carbon economic society, which is also
called a “low-carbon boom.”
At COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009, the Chinese government revealed a
domestic legally binding voluntary goal: “By the year 2020, CO 2 emissions
per GDP will be 40–45% reduced compared to 2005.” With this public
announcement, countries such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia also declared
voluntary goals. Although evaluation of the outcomes of COP15 is divided,
the most significant achievement was the announcement of voluntary goals by
major developing countries such as China and India.
Most measures against global climate change, especially CO 2 reduction, are also
domestic measures and have synergistic effects. China recognized that developing countries should also seek to achieve a low-carbon society as a prerequisite for sustainability. A tendency to use “external pressure” and “internal
pressure” of “climate change” emerges as a driving force for national
development.
Stage 4 (2015–present): Traction
66
W. Zhou
abnormal weather events increased in China, such as drought in the Yellow
River, flood in the Yangtze River, and worsening desertification. The radicalization of destruction increased scientific awareness of climate change. Furthermore, most measures against global warming, especially CO 2 reduction
measures such as energy saving and new energy measures, also had domestic
relevance, leading to synergistic benefits from CO 2 reduction. While reducing
CO 2 , energy structures can be improved, clean and renewable energy introduced, energy security increased, industrial structure and energy saving and
utilization efficiency improved, and pollution issues such as acid rain
addressed. Synergistic benefits including significant afforestation, limiting
population growth, and realization of a low-carbon society are goals that
should be pursued by developing and developed countries alike, since their
importance in the future is being gradually recognized.
Stage 3 (2005–2015: Adopted Paris Agreement): Cooperation
In 2006, carbon dioxide emissions from China (6004 Mt) surpassed those of the
United States (5602 Mt) for the first time, and China became the largest global
emitter. However, per capita emissions in 2018 were 6.8 tons, only 43% of the
United States’ 15.8 tons. China began to be actively involved in the climate
framework (international cooperation on CO 2 reduction and domestic actions)
while still adhering to the principles of the developed country responsibility
theory and “not complying with legal reduction obligations.” In particular, in
China, it is striving to realize a low-carbon economic society, which is also
called a “low-carbon boom.”
At COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009, the Chinese government revealed a
domestic legally binding voluntary goal: “By the year 2020, CO 2 emissions
per GDP will be 40–45% reduced compared to 2005.” With this public
announcement, countries such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia also declared
voluntary goals. Although evaluation of the outcomes of COP15 is divided,
the most significant achievement was the announcement of voluntary goals by
major developing countries such as China and India.
Most measures against global climate change, especially CO 2 reduction, are also
domestic measures and have synergistic effects. China recognized that developing countries should also seek to achieve a low-carbon society as a prerequisite for sustainability. A tendency to use “external pressure” and “internal
pressure” of “climate change” emerges as a driving force for national
development.
Stage 4 (2015–present): Traction
66
W. Zhou