Challenges abound before meeting climate goals

On June 30, the Chinese government issued its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution, announcing its actions to fight against and adapt to climate change in the post-2020 period. China has nationally determined its actions by 2030 as follows: to achieve the peaking of carbon dioxide emissions around 2030 and making best efforts to peak early; to lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 60 percent to 65 percent from the 2005 level; to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20 percent; and to increase the forest stock volume by around 4.5 billion cubic meters over the 2005 level.

Even though China has become the world's largest carbon emitter and the second-largest economy, its main development indicators and its existing dual economy in urban and rural areas demonstrate that it is still a developing country, showing huge differences between China and developed countries in terms of stages of development, development needs, historical responsibilities and comprehensive capabilities. China's foremost strategic priority remains poverty reduction, raising incomes, increasing the level of social security, increasing the coverage of public services including basic infrastructure, raising the standard of living, etc.

Although it is clear that low-carbon growth is inevitable for China's future development, the country will face a number of challenges in achieving its INDC targets.