Evolution Characteristics of CO₂ Emissions in Carbon-intensive Sectors in China

Abstract

China is the second largest country of CO₂ emissions in the world next to the United States. As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Chinese government announced its approval of the “Kyoto Protocol” in August–September 2002. Although China has no obligation of quantified emissions reduction in 2008–2012 as a non-Annex I country, its greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sink must be monitored and reported to the member countries. In addition, China must take measures to slow down the net increase of greenhouse gas emissions in the future. To mitigate global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions has raised attentions of many scientists and a number of international organizations. They attach great importance to the establishment of quantified targets of emission reduction to influence relevant international policies. Therefore, it is only a matter of time for China to commit emission reduction in the future framework of greenhouse gas emission reduction. So it is necessary to analyze China’s CO₂ emissions and its variable characteristics in different perspectives so as to reach a more comprehensive and scientific recognition of the internal relations among economic development, technological progress, energy consumption and CO₂ emissions and provide a detailed scientific basis for China’s preparation of greenhouse emission reduction strategies in the future.