Progress and Suggestions on the Construction of a Demonstration Project in China's Near-zero Carbon Emission Zone

The development of green energy and renewable energy is conducive to the construction of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emission Zone. The picture shows 200 wind power stations in the Anning River Valley in Dechang County, Sichuan Province, April 8, 2018, Chengdu-Kunming Railway, and Beijing-Kunming Expressway. The combination of pastoral and mountains is a beautiful landscape. Visual China

The year 2018 is the first year of implementation of the spirit of the Nineteenth Congress. It is also a crucial year for the successful completion of a well-to-do society and the implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan. The National Development and Reform Commission will organize the mid-term assessment of the implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan. Work, clearly proposed to evaluate the progress of major strategic tasks, and the progress of major engineering projects. The implementation of the demonstration project for the near-zero carbon emission zone as an important work proposed in the 'Thirteenth Five-Year Plan' will receive more attention.

At the National Eco-environmental Protection Conference held from May 18 to 19, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that we must make full use of the solid material foundation accumulated during the 40 years of reform and opening up, step up efforts to promote the construction of ecological civilization, solve ecological and environmental problems, and resolutely fight pollution. Preventing and fighting tough battles will promote China's ecological civilization construction to a new level. This provides important theoretical guidance for promoting demonstration projects in the near-zero carbon emission area.

Through typical case studies, the project analyzes and evaluates the development progress of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emissions Zone, identifies the major problems faced during the implementation of the work process, and proposes targeted countermeasures and recommendations on this basis. 2. The construction of the project is of great significance to better play the supporting role of key projects for the landing of major strategies.

I. The overall progress of the demonstration project construction in the near-zero carbon emission area

In October 2015, the CPC Central Committee's proposal for the formulation of the 13th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development clearly put forward for the first time the implementation of a demonstration project for near-zero carbon emission zones.

In general, near-zero carbon emissions are more demanding than low-carbon ones. Low carbon usually refers to a decrease in relative carbon emissions, ie, a drop in carbon intensity, while near-zero carbon emissions mean that total absolute carbon emissions are close to zero. It differs from zero carbon emission (Zero Carbon Emission). Near-zero carbon emission considers the balance of carbon emission source and sink, allowing offset mechanism such as carbon sink, as long as the total 'net emissions' (ie carbon source minus carbon sink) Close to zero. The zero-carbon emission requirements are more stringent. Zero-carbon emissions (such as the use of zero-carbon energy sources) must be achieved from the source, and offset mechanisms such as carbon sinks must not be used. It can be assumed that near-zero carbon emissions are Higher than low carbon, a state that tends to be closer to zero carbon emissions.

From the concept connotation, it can be seen that the near-zero carbon emission demonstration project is closely related to renewable energy and green low-carbon energy development, but the difference is that the demonstration project of the near-zero carbon emission area emphasizes that the net emission is close to zero from the carbon emission perspective. The energy plan emphasizes the development and utilization of different energy varieties. Therefore, it can be said that the development of green energy and renewable energy is conducive to the construction of demonstration projects in the near-zero carbon emission zone, but it may not necessarily achieve the near-zero carbon emission target.

In 2015, Yangzhong City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu proposed the establishment of a 'Green Energy Island' and compiled the “Yangzhong City Green Energy Island (Sun Island) Implementation Plan (2015-2020)” to plan and construct rooftop distributed photovoltaic power generation, wind power, and new energy sources. Micro-grid, biomass energy and other clean energy projects, which laid a favorable foundation for the development of demonstration projects in the near-zero carbon emissions zone in the future.

In March 2016, the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan reviewed and passed by the Fourth Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress clearly proposed the implementation of a near-zero carbon emission demonstration project; in October of the same year, the State Council issued the “13th Five-Year Plan” to control greenhouse gas emissions. The “Work Plan” clearly stated that the selected zero-carbon emission zone demonstration projects should be constructed for the limited development zone, the forbidden development zone, the ecological function zone, the industrial and mining zone, and the township with mature conditions. By the year 2020, 50 demonstration projects will be built.

Since then, the construction of the demonstration project for the near-zero carbon emission zone in China has been launched on a large scale. So far, the progress of the project is as follows:

First, local governments responded positively and carried out demonstration construction.

Previously in September 2016, Beijing Municipality had proposed the "New Energy and Renewable Energy Development Plan during the 'Thirteenth Five-Year Plan' period". By 2020, the city sub-central administrative office area will be the first to establish a 'near-zero carbon emission demonstration area'. 2016 In December, the Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued a notice on organizing pilot projects for demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emission Zone, and proposed to focus on pilot demonstrations in industrial and mining areas, agricultural parks and civil buildings. In January 2017, the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued a report. The implementation plan for the zero-carbon emission demonstration project proposed that pilot projects should be carried out in six areas including cities, towns, buildings, transportation, urban and rural communities, parks, and enterprises, and select areas with mature conditions such as optimized development zones and ecological function zones.

The third batch of national low-carbon city pilots launched in February 2017 also included the implementation of demonstration projects for the implementation of the near-zero carbon emission zone as an important part of the pilot program. In April 2017, Shanghai was focused on energy conservation, emission reduction and climate change. In the “Arrangement”, we propose to explore plans for the development of demonstration zones for near-zero carbon emissions. In addition, Yunnan, Jiangxi, Hainan, Zhejiang, Anhui, and other places are also actively exploring the development of near-zero carbon emission demonstration areas.

The second is basically a clear definition of 'reduction sources', 'increasing rates', 'replacement' of the near-zero carbon construction path.

To promote the construction of demonstration projects in the near-zero carbon emission zone, there are mainly three sources of reduction, increase of foreign exchange, and substitution. The overall goal is to achieve net carbon emissions in the region close to zero.

'Reducing sources' requires strengthening the existing energy saving and carbon reduction work, continuing to optimize the industrial structure, eliminating backward production capacity, and achieving near-zero carbon emissions on the basis of low-carbon transformation. 'Increase in foreign exchange' means strengthening of ecosystem management and improvement of existing forests. The carbon sequestration capacity of grassland, farmland and other ecosystems will increase carbon sink capacity by increasing plantation forests and green ground to offset regional carbon emissions. 'Substitution' refers to the full use of hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy and geothermal energy in the region. Renewable energy, alternative fossil energy, zero carbon emissions.

The above three aspects are complementary to each other. According to the actual conditions of industry, energy structure, and resource endowments, various regions should reasonably select appropriate paths to promote the demonstration project construction in the near-zero carbon emission area.

The third is to promote the construction of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emission Zone. This has produced good social benefits. Many well-known enterprises will realize zero emission as an important goal for corporate operations and green supply chain management.

In March 2018, the Paulson Institute (named after former United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson) and the China International Economic Exchange Center jointly initiated a global campaign to fight for 'zero' runners. It aims to call on leading global companies to take further steps to take the lead in carrying out effective actions to reduce carbon emissions and waste. The 'Zero Runner' initiative promotes key enterprises to adopt new quantifiable assessment measures in China to reduce the Supply chain greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, there are Alibaba, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Fosun Group, Fuyao Glass, Honeywell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Kraft Heinz, Taikang Insurance Group, Wal-Mart, Vanke Group, Wanxiang Group, CNOOC 22 world-leading companies such as Qidian Group Inc. joined the initiative and proposed strict emission reduction targets. For example, Honeywell China promised to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions per US dollar revenue by 2022 by 10%; Wal-Mart promised to In 2025, emissions from global operations will be reduced by 18%, and through cooperation with suppliers, emission reduction projects will be implemented to reduce 1 billion tons of emissions in the global value chain.

II. Major issues facing the construction of demonstration projects in the current zero-carbon emission zone

First, some localities have unclear concepts in promoting the construction of demonstration projects in the near-zero carbon emissions zone.

Nearly zero carbon emission demonstration project construction is a new thing. Although the enthusiasm of local governments to promote related work is relatively high, and some local governments have also put forward some principle requirements, but overall, how to select and build a near-zero carbon emission demonstration project still faces the concept of not There are even common “misunderstandings” such as the lack of selection indicators, imperfect selection of construction targets, and inadequate policy support. There are even certain 'misunderstandings' in certain areas. For example, demonstration projects near zero-carbon emission areas in some places are equivalent to low-carbon development pilots. Above, zero-carbon emission as an 'upgraded version' for low-carbon development needs more efforts to achieve on the basis of the current low-carbon development. In some places, it is possible to restrict development or the cost is high, and therefore there is a set constraint. Sexual near-zero carbon emissions targets or the desire to further increase carbon reduction targets are not strong.

Second, the demonstration project construction of the near-zero carbon emission zone is currently at the conceptual design and planning and construction stage, and no clear and feasible development ideas have yet been formed.

The author's research found that some places choose to be in no-man's land and special areas where there is no industry and no emission source, such as small islands, forest areas, renewable energy export sites, or industrial parks that are still in the planning and construction stage, Xincheng (town) Demonstration construction is carried out in districts and other places. These regions have innate resource advantages and geographical conditions. Due to the abundance of carbon sinks in the region, they are now close to zero-emissions or even negative emissions, eliminating the need for demonstration and man-made emissions reduction efforts. Without the need for near-zero carbon emission technologies and product integrated integration applications, near-zero carbon emission targets can be achieved. This deviates from the original intention of the construction of demonstration zones.

Therefore, it is not appropriate to select the near-zero carbon emission demonstration zone as the single element, renewable energy rich area with single emission source type, dense carbon sink area, and single-carbon carbon construction. The long-term development goals of carbon emissions are also general and difficult to implement due to the lack of clear implementation paths and safeguard measures. With the economic development and industrial agglomeration, carbon emissions in these places will show significant trends.

Third, although there is a high level of enthusiasm for local demonstration projects for the development of the Near Zero Carbon Emissions Zone, due to the lack of sound implementation plans and supporting policies, few substantive achievements have been achieved.

The author's investigation found that the construction of the demonstration zone for near-zero carbon emissions has not been closely integrated with local economic and social development, industrial development, and infrastructure construction. The related work base needs to be improved, such as the need for strengthening the atmosphere of low-carbon development, energy and carbon emission monitoring, The measurement management system needs to be improved, and the use of low-carbon technologies and products needs to be improved. Due to the lack of an effective support and support policy, the development of demonstration projects in the near-zero carbon emission zone is limited to some extent.

Fourthly, how to balance the consideration of development needs and control of carbon emissions has become an important issue that needs to be seriously addressed in carrying out demonstration projects for near-zero carbon emissions zones.

The author's research found that the development needs of the economically backward areas are relatively large. With the urbanization, the process of industrialization is accelerating. The rigid increase in energy demand leads to a continuous increase in the total carbon emissions. The current trend is to achieve carbon emission peaks and near-zero carbon emissions. At the same time, the economically backward regions still lack sufficient capital investment and technological capabilities to promote the construction of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Discharge Zone. How to solve the contradiction between development and control and emissions is not only a prominent problem facing the economically backward regions. It is also an important issue that needs to be considered in economically developed regions. Can it be solved? It has become an important constraint to the development of demonstration projects for the development of a near-zero carbon emission zone.

III. Countermeasures and Suggestions for Promoting the Construction of Demonstration Projects for the Near Zero Carbon Emission Area in the Future

The first is to strengthen publicity and guidance to further raise the level of local government awareness.

In response to common problems and misunderstandings faced by various localities in promoting the construction of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emissions Zone, it is necessary to further strengthen publicity and guidance, promote awareness among local governments and related entities, and integrate demonstration project construction with local economic and social development. The project will promote the formation of green and low-carbon new growth points, new kinetic energy, achieve a win-win result in controlling carbon emissions and economic development, provide strong support for the realization of high-quality economic development, and then eliminate local concerns about the development of demonstration projects for the development of a near-zero carbon emission zone.

The second is to clarify the concept of the concept, as soon as possible to study and formulate the near zero carbon demonstration project construction index system and construction guidelines.

In view of the current unclear concepts and lack of evaluation standards in promoting demonstration projects for near-zero carbon emissions zones, it is recommended that the indicator system and construction guidelines for near-zero carbon emission demonstration projects should be studied and formulated at the national level to address the energy consumption structure in different regions. Carbon emission characteristics: Based on comprehensive consideration of economic development level, energy consumption, industrial structure, and carbon emissions, will the total carbon emissions in the region reach the peak, and near-zero carbon emissions in key emission areas such as industry, construction, transportation, and life? The application of technology demonstration, and whether the net carbon emissions after the balance of source and sink are close to zero, as the core evaluation indicators, formulate an evaluation standard and construction guideline for operability of near-zero carbon emission demonstration zones to provide reference for local related work.

The third is to strengthen policy support and encourage local development of supporting measures.

At the national level, it will strengthen policy support for the construction of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emissions Zone, coordinate and coordinate finance, taxation, finance, land, planning, science and technology, industry, and environmental protection, and explore the formation of a 'policy package' that supports the construction of demonstration projects through financial subsidies. Subsidies will be used to provide financial support for the construction of demonstration projects by awarding subsidies, loan interest subsidies, etc. Local governments are encouraged to formulate supporting measures in light of actual conditions, to further broaden funding channels, and to actively explore green finance, green bonds, green funds and other green financial instruments to support demonstration projects. , To promote the near-zero carbon technology products integrated application.

The fourth is to improve the safeguard measures and strengthen the implementation of the construction project of the near-zero carbon emission demonstration area.

Strengthen the construction of carbon emission statistics and monitoring capabilities, provide data support for the selection and evaluation of demonstration projects in the Near Zero Carbon Emissions Zone. Explore the use of market mechanisms to promote source reduction and foreign exchange increase, introduce carbon sink trading mechanisms in the construction of national carbon markets, and increase various benefits. The enthusiasm of stakeholders to develop carbon sinks. Further improve renewable energy development and utilization policies, implement the preferential access mechanism for renewable energy, and effectively solve the problem of renewable energy consumption. The demonstration project of the Near Zero Carbon Delivered Area as China's response to climate change The key content of the cooperation, through cooperation and exchange, will gradually solve the problems faced by China's demonstration projects such as capital technology and operation management.

2016 GoodChinaBrand | ICP: 12011751 | China Exports