Key results - China

Moving from principles to action for energy supply that mitigates against climate change requires a long-term perspective. Energy infrastructure takes time to build up; new energy technologies take time to develop. Policy shifts often also need many years to take effect. In most world regions the transformation from fossil to renewable energies will require additional investment and higher supply costs over about twenty years

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regional results china development of CO2 emissions

development of CO2 emissions

Whilst China’s emissions of CO2 will increase by 82% under the Reference scenario, under the Energy [R]evolution scenario they will decrease from 6,880 million tonnes in 2009 to 860 million tonnes in 2050. Annual per capita emissions will increase from 5.1 tonnes to 6.1 tonnes in 2030 and decrease afterward to 0.6 tonnes in 2050. In the long run efficiency gains and the increased use of renewable electricity in vehicles will also significantly reduce emissions in the transport sector. With a share of 32% of CO2 emissions in 2050, the transport sector will be the largest energy related source of emissions. By 2050, China’s CO2 emissions are 38% of 1990 levels.