China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, so Xi Jinping’s decision to appear to lessen China’s role in combating climate change is a sign that the country has not only recovered battered and chastened by crippling power shortages in the previous two years but also that the China-US “climate honeymoon” is over.
Hindustan Times (AP/FILE)
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In contrast to his 2017 claim that China would assume the global “driving seat” in solving the climate catastrophe, President Xi Jinping used the word “actively participate” in his important speech at the opening of the Communist party’s 20th national congress, on Sunday.
Since China is the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, Xi’s choice to appear to lessen the country’s role in combating climate change is an indication that both the China-US “climate honeymoon” and the country’s experience with crippling power shortages, in recent years have come to an end.
At least for the moment.
On October 16, Xi addressed nearly 3,000 delegates at the Great Hall of the People, urging them to “deeply promote energy revolution, strengthen the clean and efficient use of coal, accelerate the planning and construction of a new energy system, and actively participate in addressing climate change and global governance.”
In contrast, he had stated at a related CPC national convention in 2017 that China had “become an essential participant, contributor, and torchbearer in the worldwide endeavor for ecological civilization.”
China’s Initiative :
The Chinese leader also stated in 2017 that China’s initiatives to cut consumption and conserve resources were having a positive impact both domestically and internationally.
It seems that no longer applies.
The climate and environmental aspects of the report (read by Xi) did not include any major surprises. Most of the lines were boilerplate.
The necessity to decarbonize and the requirement to provide energy security are at odds with one another in the climate segment.
“The research just spelled out this dynamic; it did not offer a clear solution for how to strike a balance between these opposing interests”, according to Li Shuo, the global policy advisor for Greenpeace East Asia in Beijing.
Communist Party of China (CPC):
Xi’s speech at the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) congress in 2017 contained a vision for addressing the climate catastrophe, according to Li.
“China was expected to take part, contribute, and lead (in fighting climate change). The report merely states that we must participate actively,” Li continued.
China’s economy has slowed down compared to its rate of growth five years ago, and the world situation has altered significantly over the past five years, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite significant bilateral disputes on other matters, the US and China were still in communication about the climate catastrophe.
Not anymore.
As part of its response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, China canceled climate negotiations with the US, in August. China’s apparent pivot on global climate issues was influenced by its own economic and power issues.”
China has experienced multiple power crises for various causes, but the fact that there were brief power outages only served to reinforce the perception—rightly or wrongly—that we (China) need to ensure our energy security.
And the best way to achieve that is by utilizing our domestic resources, which are primarily coal-fired power plants”, Li said. According to Greenpeace’s research, China continues to be interested in fossil fuels.
According to Greenpeace research published in July, “provincial governments across China approved plans to install a total of 8.63 gigawatts (GW) of new coal power plants in the first quarter of 2022 alone, representing 46.55% of the capacity permitted throughout 2021.”
To bring its emissions of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to a peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, Xi promised to “strictly control” coal and start to reduce its use in 2026.
The address from last Sunday also included some promises.
Xi pledges that China would continue to support the “clean and efficient use of coal” while pursuing an “energy revolution,” a new energy system, and supporting low-carbon enterprises.
Overall, though, Xi’s speech seems to suggest that China has a more restrained appetite than it had five years ago when it comes to global climate issues.
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