Title: Analysis of the Chinese energy system: implications for future CO₂ emissions

Authors: ZhongXiang Zhang

Addresses: Department of General Economics, Landbouw Universiteit Wageningen, P.O. Box 8130,6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract: This paper analyses China|s energy resources and their development, energy consumption patterns, historical CO₂ emissions, and environmental challenges for the Chinese energy system in the CO₂ context. It is shown that China is bound to rely mainly on coal to fuel the development of her economy and thereby improve the Chinese standard of living in the foreseeable future. Given this prospect and the serious environmental pollution arising from inefficient coal use, China|s efforts to combat air pollution must be directed at much more efficient use of coal. The paper outlines a number of policy measures that have been or will be implemented. With little prospect of significant change in the coal-dominated energy structure in China, it is concluded that the implementation of these measures is expected to be accelerated when curbing global CO₂ emissions requires special action on China|s part.

Keywords: carbon dioxide emissions; China; energy consumption; energy resources; environmental impact; coal; air pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1994.028354

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1994 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.181 - 198

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

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