The ninth meeting of the Central Committee of Finance and economics stressed: "we should integrate carbon peaking and carbon neutralization into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction, show the strength to grasp iron and achieve the goals of carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutralization by 2060 as scheduled." recently, the CPC Central Committee and the state Council issued the opinions on fully, accurately and comprehensively implementing the new development concept and doing a good job in carbon peaking and carbon neutralization, It demonstrates China's determination and confidence to unswervingly follow the path of ecological priority, green and low-carbon development, and has planned a timetable and road map to ensure the timely realization of the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutralization.
Since the industrial revolution, the large-scale development and utilization of fossil energy such as coal, oil and natural gas has greatly promoted the global economic and social development. At the same time, it also releases a large number of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which seriously threatens the biological security and ecological balance of the whole earth and poses severe challenges to human survival and development. Mankind must take effective measures to solve the ecological and climate problems caused by the massive emission of greenhouse gases in the past 200 years of development, so as to reduce the burden and cool down the blue planet on which it depends. Achieving the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization is China's solemn commitment and efforts to deal with the threat of climate change caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and promote mankind to embark on a new path of civilized development. It will certainly promote human society from "industrial civilization" to "ecological civilization".
Achieving the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization is both a challenge and an opportunity for China. Firstly, at present, China's economic and social development is still in the stage of climbing over the threshold, and the demand for energy is still increasing. There are many difficulties and challenges to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization. However, dialectically speaking, to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization will certainly promote the fundamental optimization and reform of China's energy structure, industrial structure and ecological structure, help us speed up the establishment of modern energy system and industrial system, and help China's economic development realize quality reform, efficiency reform and power reform. Secondly, achieving the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutralization puts forward new and higher requirements for the improvement of China's scientific and technological innovation ability and the construction of scientific and technological talent team, which is conducive to breaking through relevant key technologies, establishing corresponding industrial system and high-quality talent team, and occupying the commanding height of global science and technology, industry and talent competition. Thirdly, Chinese civilization has always advocated the harmonious coexistence between man and nature, realizing the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization, which is consistent with the concept of "harmony between man and nature" and "Tao and nature" advocated by Chinese excellent traditional culture, which is not only conducive to promoting our efficient recycling of energy resources, realizing green and low-carbon circular development, but also conducive to inheriting and carrying forward Chinese excellent traditional culture.
The conditions for China to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization are becoming more and more mature. Since the eleventh five year plan, China has actively implemented the national strategy to deal with climate change and taken a series of measures to promote energy conservation and emission reduction and control greenhouse gas emissions. First, we implemented strong measures such as industrial structure adjustment, energy structure optimization and energy efficiency improvement in key industries to promote remarkable results in carbon emission reduction, significantly reduce energy consumption per unit GDP and slow the growth rate of total carbon emissions, which accumulated experience and laid a foundation for achieving the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutralization. Second, vigorously develop renewable energy, clean energy and corresponding industrial chains such as wind energy and solar energy. At present, China is in a leading position in renewable energy, new energy vehicles and other fields and industries, and has mastered some core technologies. At the same time, China has strong equipment manufacturing capacity and large-scale domestic market, and the industrial chain advantages of related industries will be continuously consolidated and improved. Third, carry out diversified education on energy conservation and environmental protection, guide young people to establish the values of diligence, thrift and green environmental protection, and actively promote the transformation of lifestyle and consumption mode to diligence, thrift, green, low-carbon, civilization and health in the whole society. China's public awareness of environmental protection and climate is increasing. More and more people consciously practice the green lifestyle and realize the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization, which has a deeper and deeper social foundation. Our unremitting efforts and great achievements in addressing climate change are constantly consolidating the foundation for achieving the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutralization on schedule.
(the author is a professor in the school of economics and management, Tongji University)
People's daily (13th edition, December 3, 2021)
