China Smashes 2016 Carbon Intensity Goal

In the bleak midwinter, China offered a spot of cheer. The world’s largest greenhouse gas polluter beat its target to cut the amount of carbon emitted per unit of GDP, official documents reveal.

Beijing had aimed to slash carbon intensity by 3.9% but achieved 6%, it said in an annual review of progress highlighted by Stian Reklev from Carbon Pulse.

In a statement the government said it would continue to “strengthen energy-saving and emission reduction” and “coordination on climate change”.

China has a 2020 goal of cutting carbon intensity by 18% by 2020 on 2015 levels, reducing energy intensity by 15%, and boosting non-fossil fuel sources of energy to 15% of the energy mix.

Amid worsening air pollution levels, the government has also mandated a 10% cut in coal use in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong and Henan by 2020.

For more on China’s energy and climate plans through 2020, Alvin Lin from the National Resources Defense Council has just published ... [an] analysis.

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