The world’s largest polluting nation is set to spend big on cleaning up the environment.
On top of a $293bn investment for the renewable energy sector, Xi Jinping’s government has now announced plans to invest a further 2.3 trillion yuan ($375bn) in energy saving and emission-reduction projects over the next five years.
Cleaning up its act Image: Eco News |
China has set ambitious goals of lowering carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45% by 2020 set against 2005 levels, while raising non-fossil energy consumption to 15%, according to a plan outlined by the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planner.
The NDRC is also promising tiered power pricing for eight energy-intensive industries, including oil and gas and steelmaking, which saw profits slide in the first half of 2013.
A pilot carbon trading scheme will also be introduced in more Chinese cities by 2015, with a view to creating a national market.