China says it has achieved its carbon reduction goal early

China has realised its 2020 target for reducing carbon emissions ahead of schedule, the ecology and environment ministry reported Wednesday.

The ministry said China’s CO2 emissions per unit of GDP had fallen last year by 4 per cent from a year earlier to stand at 45.8 per cent less than in 2005.

Vice Minister Zhao Yingmin told reporters that completed the target of CO2 reduction for 2020 ahead of schedule, while 14.3 per cent of the energy China consumes now comes from non-fossil fuel sources.

“These are hard-won results from the efforts of promoting a green and low carbon economy,” Zhao said.

While becoming more efficient, China saw its annual carbon emissions nearly triple between 2000 and 2018 as the economy grew at a rapid pace. It has been the world’s biggest emitter since 2005, when it passed the US.

Yet China is also the leading market for solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles, and the biggest manufacturer of solar cells.

“We are still faced with challenges of developing our economy, improving people’s livelihood, reducing poverty and cleaning up our environment,” Zhao said.

He said China would also remain committed to its carbon reduction commitments under the Paris climate change accord, even after the US issued formal notification this year of its intention to withdraw from the pact.

China declared under the agreement that its carbon emissions would level off by 2030 and carbon intensity would ultimately be reduced by 60-65 per cent from the 2005 level.