China is experiencing a sustained period of rapid economic growth, accompanied by large annual increases in energy demand. Coal continues to dominate the Chinese energy system, and accounts for the majority of new power generation capacity. Demand for imported oil is also increasing sharply. The environmental side effects of these trends are serious - both for China and for the international community.
This project is funded by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. It aims to assess alternative energy futures for China, examining the potentials for China to transform to make the transition to a less carbon-intensive, more sustainable energy path. The project will work with Chinese organisations to assess the success of policy initiatives, lessons learned and obstacles faced, paralleled with UK experience. The policy implications of this project will inform China and the UK about future energy policy options, and deployment of energy technology collaboration programmes.
This project builds on our previous work on energy and environment in China, carried out from 1999-2002.
Project Summary: China's Energy Transition: Strategies to mitigate carbon lock-in (pdf, 543 kb)
Workshops
Tyndall China Workshop, Beijing 2007
Project outputs:
Download the Final Report and the presentations at the report launch event in Beijng on 29th April 2009 by Dr Tao Wang, Dr Jim Watson and Dr Jiang Kejun.
--Publications:
Wang, T. and J. Watson (2009) China's Energy Transition - Pathways to Low Carbon Development, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research; Sussex Energy Group, the University of Sussex (pdf, 1.84 mb)
Wang, T. and J. Watson (2009). "Trade, Climate Change, and sustainability", in "State of the World 2009: Into a Warming World", the Worldwatch Institute, New York & London
Wang, T. and J. Watson (2008). "China's carbon emissions and international trade: implications for post-2012 policy", Climate Policy, Volume 8, Issue 6, 2008
Wang, T. and J. Watson (2008). "Carbon Emission Scenarios for China to 2100", Tyndall Centre Working Paper 121, September 2008
Watson, J. and T. Wang (2007). "Is the West to blame for China's emission?" article for China dialogue, 20, December 2007.
Watson, J., G. MacKerron, D. Ockwell and T. Wang (2007). "Technology and carbon mitigation in developing countries: Are cleaner coal technologies a viable option?" Background paper for United Nations Human Development Report 2007/2008, November 2007.
Wang, T. and J. Watson (2007). "Who Own's Chinas Carbon Emissions?" Tyndall Centre Briefing Note No. 23, October 2007.
--Presentations:
Dr Tao Wang's presentation at the report launch event in Beijng on 29th April 2009, "China's Energy Transition: Pathways to Low Carbon Development part 1".
Dr Jim Watson's presentation at the report launch event in Beijng on 29th April 2009, "China's Energy Transition: Pathways to Low Carbon Development part 2".
Dr Jiang Kejun's presentation at the report launch event in Beijng on 29th April 2009, "Energy and Emission Scenario up to 2050 for China".
Dr Tao Wang's presentation of "Who owns China's carbon emission: Carbon emission in a trade perspective" in IDS China emission side event in the UNFCCC COP14 on in Poznan Poland, 1st December 2008. Webcast is avaible at http://copportal1.man.poznan.pl/Archive.aspx?EventID=48&Lang=floor
Dr Tao Wang's Presentation of "Renewalbes Revolution" on potential and bariers of renewable energy technologies in MENA, in Athens on 25th July 2008.
Dr Jim Watson's Presentation at ETIP Seminar Series, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University on 7th July 2008.
Dr Tao Wang's Presentation at the Forum on Climate Change and Science & Technology Innovation, organised by the Mininstry of Science and Technology, PR.China on 25th April, 2008
More output will be available as project proceeds
Project news:
Wang, T and J. Watson's commentary on B. Lee and N. Mabey's article " An EU-China pact is key to a global climate deal" in Europe's World, October 2008
Is the West to blame for China's emission? 20, December 2007
Who is responsible for China's growing emissions? 23, October 2007
Useful links and documents:
White Paper: China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change, Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, 29th October 2008
Contacts: Dr Jim Watson/Dr. Tao Wang