China’s climate goals: growing energy consumption, slow progress on decarbonisation pose challenges, says NEA director

Energy conservation and carbon reduction on the consumer side need to be urgently strengthened, he added.

China’s energy consumption intensity is 1.5 times the world average, with six major industries, including petroleum, chemicals, electric and heat power, accounting for 75 per cent of the nation’s energy consumption, according to the NEA.

“The subsequent potential for energy substitution has gradually narrowed, and it has become more difficult to substitute clean energy for end-use,” he said.

The construction of major projects also faces many constraints in terms of resources.

“The price mechanism for new energy storage and solar thermal power generation is not yet adequate, and joint efforts on energy transition policies need to be strengthened.”

In order to accelerate the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, Zhang recommended that 70 per cent of new energy consumption be supplied by non-fossil sources before 2030.

Non-fossil energy accounted for more than 40 per cent of total new energy production in 2023.

Zhang also recommended strengthening innovation in the fields of green and low-carbon technology to consolidate the development of China’s new energy industry.