CO₂ Emissions

China makes a new policy statement, November 25, ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit.

China will cut the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product in 2020 by 40 to 45 per cent from 2005 levels, said a statement from the State Council, or cabinet.
This is a voluntary action taken by the Chinese government based on its own national conditions and is a major contribution to the global effort in tackling climate change,” the statement said. ~Source

This is the first time China has linked CO₂ emissions reductions to a percentage of it’s economic growth.

This following President Obama’s announcement that he will attend the Copenhagen summit to offer a cut in US emissions by 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020.

So the world’s two most polluting nations have made substantive promises to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Lets hope India and other large polluters follow the lead.

Renewable Energy

From water heating to power plants, China is the largest market and producer of solar equipment. In 2007 it is estimated that 30 million homes used solar water heating SWH cutting carbon emissions considerably.

WUXI, China — President Obama wants to make the United States “the world’s leading exporter of renewable energy,” but in his seven months in office, it is China that has stepped on the gas in an effort to become the dominant player in green energy — especially in solar power, and even in the United States. ~Source

…this is because low cost Chinese labour is helping to push down world prices for solar panels.

Chinese government officials signed an agreement on Tuesday with First Solar, an American solar developer based in Tempe, Ariz., for a 2,000-megawatt photovoltaic farm to be built in the Mongolian desert.
Set for completion in 2019, the project represents the world’s biggest photovoltaic power plant project to date, and is part of an 11,950-megawatt renewable energy park planned for Ordos City in Inner Mongolia.
The agreement calls for ground to be broken on the first 30-megawatt phase of the project by June 1, 2010, followed by 100-megawatt and 870-megawatt additions to be completed by the end of 2014. A final 1,000-megawatt phase is scheduled to go online by Dec. 31, 2019. ~Source

…with the capacity to power 3 million homes when completed. First Solar are still the world’s largest manufacturer of photovoltaic modules.

The country has doubled its capacity for wind-generated power every year for the past four years, and President Hu Jintao pledged last week to turn to more sources of renewable energy in coming years. ~Source

…to ensure the commitment.Theoretically China could cut 30% of it’s carbon emissions by 2030 through wind power alone, but it would take a huge investment over the 20 years.

Food For Thought

Is it feasable to have more than 10% of a nations electricity supplied from a renewable source that is as unpredictable as wind?

With huge investments being made into solar electricity generation, how much power can a northern hemisphere country expect to generate from solar?

Please leave your comments below, I would be very interested to hear your views.

Sincerely,

Related posts:

1. Copenhagen Summit CO2 Emissions Targets