Carbon neutrality,conserve energy ,reduce emissionsTerminology.Generally, it refers to that directly or indirectly generated by a country, enterprise, product, activity or individual within a certain period of timecarbon dioxideorgreenhouse gasesThe total emissions, through afforestation, energy conservation and emission reduction, can offset the carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions generated by itself, achieve positive and negative offset, and achieve relative "zero emissions".
In September 2023, the 2023 Global Carbon Neutrality Annual Progress Report was officially released in Beijing.The report systematically evaluated the progress of 197 countries in carbon neutrality commitment, low-carbon technology, climate investment and financing, international climate cooperation and other aspects, and provided important information and reference for promoting countries to deepen carbon neutrality transition and bridging the gap between global carbon neutrality progress and the Paris Agreement temperature rise goal.[101]
"Carbon" meanscarbon dioxide"Neutralization" means positive and negative balance.Dischargedcarbon dioxideOr greenhouse gases are offset by afforestation, energy conservation and emission reduction, which is called "carbon neutrality".[20]
Carbon neutrality also means that enterprises, groups or individuals calculate the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly or indirectly generated within a certain period of time, and then offset their own carbon dioxide emissions through afforestation, energy conservation and emission reduction, so as to achieve "zero emissions" of carbon dioxide.
Global carbon neutrality describes the balance between the carbon dioxide emissions caused by human activities and the removal of these gases in a specific period of time.It is often referred to simply as net zero.In some cases, "emissions" refers to the emissions of all greenhouse gases, while in other cases, it only refers to the emissions of carbon dioxide.[110]
To be carbon neutral, actions need to be taken to reduce emissions.One example is the shift from fossil fuel energy to sustainable energy.Organizations usually offset the remaining emissions by purchasing carbon credits.People often switch between terms with the same meaning, such as "net zero emissions", "carbon neutrality" and "climate neutrality".However, in some cases, these terms have different meanings from each other[111]。Some carbon neutral certification standards allow a large amount of carbon offset, but the net zero standard requires reducing emissions to>90% and then only offsetting the remaining<10% to meet the 1.5 ° C target.[112]
The first way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions isCarbon sequestrationThe carbon dioxide in the air is mainly absorbed and stored by natural carbon sinks such as soil, forest and ocean. What human beings can do is to plant trees;The second is carbon offset. By investing in the development of renewable energy and low-carbon clean technology, reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of one industry will offset the emissions of another industry. The unit of offset is the equivalent tonnage of carbon dioxide.Once carbon dioxide emissions are completely eliminated, we can enter a net zero carbon society.
Related terms
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Carbon sequestration
Carbon offsets and credits
Carbon offset is a trading mechanism that allows governments, individuals or enterprises and other entities to compensate (i.e. "offset") their greenhouse gas emissions by supporting projects that reduce, avoid or eliminate emissions from other places.[106-108]In other words, carbon compensation focuses on offsetting emissions by investing in emission reduction projects.When an entity invests in a carbon offset plan, it will receive carbon credits, that is, "tokens" used to calculate the net climate benefits brought by one entity to another.[109]Carbon credits or offset credits can be purchased or sold after certification by the government or an independent certification authority.
In order to help achieve the emission reduction goal, the carbon offset mechanism came into being.Different from carbon quotas, carbon quotas are emission permits allocated to emission control units by carbon market policy makers, while carbon offset credit lines are obtained after certification of the difference between emissions of emission reduction projects and their baseline emissions, which is a way to achieve low-cost emission reduction.In the carbon emission trading system, the emission reductions that meet the credit issuance conditions can be used to replace the quota to complete the quota clearing obligations of emission reduction units.This approach can increase the flexibility and diversity of the system and tools of the Emission Trading System (ETS), provide more low-cost sources of performance indicators, and provide support for emission reduction projects, helping to achieve climate goals.[114]
social context
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Carbon peakingIt refers to the stable decline of carbon emissions after entering the plateau period.Carbon peaking and carbon neutralization“Bicarbon”。[25]
On September 22, 2020, the Chinese governmentUnited Nations General AssemblyIt was stated that "China will increase its national independent contribution, adopt more powerful policies and measures, strive to reach the peak of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060."[1]
On March 5, 2021,Government Work Report of the State Council in 2021It is pointed out that we should do a solid job in carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, formulate an action plan for carbon emissions peaking by 2030, and optimize the industrial structure and energy structure[17]。"Carbon neutral" has been selected as one of the top ten catchwords in 2021 released by Verbatim[68]。On December 13“Bicarbon”Selected into the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center“Top Ten Catchwords of Chinese Media in 2021”[69]。
In August 2022, the word "carbon neutral" was accepted and interpreted in the Fourth Edition of the Dictionary of Modern Chinese Norms[88]。The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of ChinaThe report on stressed: actively and steadily promote carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.Achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality is a broad and profound economic and social systematic change.[105]
global warming
global warmingIt is human behavior that causes the earthclimate changeConsequences."Carbon" ispetroleum、coal, wood and other natural resources composed of carbon elements.More carbon is consumed, and more carbon dioxide, the culprit of global warming, is produced.With human activities, global warming is also changing (affecting) people's lifestyle, bringing more and more problems.[8]
In 2002, an ice shelf covering an area of 3250 square kilometers in Antarctica fell off and melted away within 35 days;And according to the latest data from NASA, Greenland melts 221 cubic kilometers of ice every year, twice the amount of melting ice in 1996.[15]
scientific basis
The idea of net zero originated from the research on how the atmosphere, oceans and carbon cycle responded to carbon dioxide emissions in the late 2000s.The study found that global warming would not stop until carbon dioxide emissions were reduced to net zero.[115]Net zero emissions are the basis for the objectives of the Paris Agreement.This shows that we must "achieve the balance between anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks in the second half of this century".The term "net zero" became popular after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its special report on global warming of 1.5 ° C (SR15) in 2018, which pointed out that "achieving and maintaining the global anthropogenic [man-made] net zero emissions of carbon dioxide and the forced decline of net non carbon dioxide radiation will prevent anthropogenic global warming on a decades time scale (high reliability)."[116]
The concept of net zero emissions is often confused with "stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere".The term derives from the 1992 Rio Convention.These two concepts are not the same.This is because the carbon cycle continuously absorbs a small part of the historical accumulated anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions into vegetation and oceans.This will happen even after the current CO2 emissions are reduced to zero.[117]If the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere remains constant, some carbon dioxide emissions may continue.However, due to the gradual adjustment of the deep-sea temperature, the global average surface temperature will continue to rise for several centuries.If the carbon dioxide emissions directly generated by human activities are reduced to net zero, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will decline.This speed is enough to compensate for deep-sea adjustments.The result will be that the global average surface temperature has remained roughly unchanged for decades or centuries.[117-118]
Carbon dioxide alone can achieve net zero emissions more quickly than carbon dioxide plus other greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and fluoride gas.The net zero target date for non carbon dioxide emissions is late, partly because modelers believe that some of these emissions (such as methane from agriculture) are more difficult to phase out.[119]The emissions of short-term gases such as methane will not accumulate in the climate system like carbon dioxide.Therefore, there is no need to reduce them to zero to prevent global warming.This is because the reduction of short-lived gas emissions will lead to an immediate decrease in the resulting radiative forcing.The radiative forcing is the change of the energy balance of the earth caused by them.[120]However, these powerful but short-lived gases will push up the temperature in the short term.This may push the temperature higher than the 1.5 ° C threshold earlier.[119]
Policy background
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February 2, 2021《Guiding Opinions of the State Council on Accelerating the Establishment and Improvement of a Green, Low Carbon and Circular Economic Development System》The opinion points out that we should thoroughly implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, comprehensively implement the idea of ecological civilization, earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, unswervingly implement the new development concept, and comprehensively implement the green planGreen design、Green investmentGreen construction, green production, green circulation, green life and green consumption will make development based on efficient use of resources, strict protection of ecological environment and effective control of greenhouse gas emissions, promote high-quality development and high-level protection as a whole, establish and improve the economic system of green and low-carbon circular development, and ensure the realization ofCarbon peakingThe goal of carbon neutrality is to promote China's green development to a new level.[54]
Since its inception in 1997, the concept of "carbon neutrality" has become popular in the West, realizing the transformation from "avant-garde" to "mass".[15]
In 2006, the New Oxford American Dictionary named "carbon neutrality" as the word of the year.The main reason for its selection is that it has gradually gained more and more people's support from a concept initially advocated by environmentalists, and has become an actual greening action valued by the US government authorities.[8]
On January 29, 2007,the United NationsIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change（IPCC）OnParisThe five-day meeting is scheduled to issue a report on the assessment of global climate change after the end of February 2.The initial version of the report predicted that by 2100, the global temperature will rise by 2 to 4.5 degrees Celsius, and the global sea level will rise by 0.13 to 0.58 meters compared with 2007.The initial version of the report also mentioned that 90% of the climate change phenomena in the past 50 years may be caused by human activities.Some experts also said that it is possible to change the wording in the final version of the report and rewrite the possibility to 99%.[9]
In the 2007 edition of the New Oxford English Dictionary, the word "carbon neutral" is officially listed in the dictionary.The term "carbon neutrality" refers to the purpose of environmental protection by calculating the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions, and then absorbing these emissions by planting trees and other means.[8]
In July 2013, the "2020 carbon neutral" plan for the aviation industry proposed by the International Air Transport Association surfaced.The plan proposes three major commitment targets for the aviation industry: from 2009 to 2020, the average annual fuel efficiency will be increased by 1.5%;Realized in 2020carbon emissionThe volume will peak in 2020 and will not increase;Reduce emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2050.The most substantial impact of this plan on airlines in various countries is to pay for the part exceeding the emission target after 2020 and pay the actual "carbon tax".
In October 2018, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report calling on all countries to take action to control the temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius.To achieve this goal, rapid and far-reaching reforms are needed in the fields of land, energy, industry, construction, transportation and cities.[18]
On March 5, 2009,Wen JiabaoThe Prime Minister is heretwo sessions(NPC and CPPCC)In particular, China stressed that we should strengthenconserve energy ,reduce emissionsAnd ecological and environmental protection.On November 25, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council chaired a State Council executive meeting to study and deploy the work of tackling climate change, decide on China's action goals to control greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and propose corresponding policies, measures and actions.The meeting decided to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40% - 45% by 2020 compared with 2005, which will be incorporated into the medium - and long-term plan for national economic and social development as a binding indicator, and develop corresponding domestic statistics, monitoring and assessment methods.[10]
On August 1, 2018, Sichuan Province held the launching ceremony of the "carbon neutral" project. It is planned to build 500 mu of "carbon neutral" forest in Chengdu Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park in October 2018, and increase carbon sinks in 20 years to completely offset the 921 tons of carbon emissions generated by this meeting.[2]
In October 2019, the first national A-level scenic spot quality improvement training class was held in Shaanxi, and became the first carbon neutral scenic spot training class in China.[3]
In January 2021, the first carbon neutral waste sorting station in China will be located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Residents can put in their daily recyclables, offset carbon emissions through recycling, and gain income[21]。On March 5, Premier Li KeqiangGovernment Work Report of the State Council in 2021It is pointed out in theCarbon peaking, carbon neutrality, formulating action plan for carbon emission peak by 2030, optimizing industrial structure and energy structure[17]。On March 15, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the ninth meeting of the Central Finance and Economic Commission. One of the important topics was to study and realizeCarbon peakingBasic ideas and main measures of carbon neutrality, the meeting pointed out 7 aspects of work to be done well during the "14th Five Year Plan" period.In the opinion of industry experts, this meeting is clearCarbon peakingPositioning of carbon neutrality, especially for the next five yearsCarbon peakingClear "construction drawings" are planned[22]。
Sun Chuanwang at the first national carbon neutral development index seminar
Printed and distributed by the Ministry of Education on July 12, 2021《Action Plan for Carbon neutral Science and Technology Innovation in Colleges and Universities》In order to play the role of the main force of basic research and the source of major scientific and technological innovation in colleges and universitiesCarbon peakingCarbon neutral goal provides scientific and technological support and talent support[43]。In August, the General Administration of Market Supervision was establishedCarbon Peak Carbon Neutralization Work Leading GroupAnd office[46]。On September 11, China promised to assume the responsibility of a major country - "30 · 60"Carbon peakingCarbon neutral theme exhibition appearedChina Science and Technology Museum, which is also the first in China“Carbon peakingCarbon neutrality "science popularization exhibition.Under the joint guidance of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Ecological Environment, the exhibition will be held at the China Science and Technology Museum until November 14, and then will participate in the "National Tour of High quality Theme Exhibitions on National Science Popularization Day" to serve more people in wider regions of the country[48]。On September 11,China Energy Economy Research Center, Xiamen UniversityprofessorSun ChuanwangPresented at the first national carbon neutral development index seminar“China's carbon neutral development capability index[52-53]”。
Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Completely Implementing the New Development Concept and Doing a Good Job of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutralization
On December 17, 2021, Alibaba released the Alibaba Carbon Neutralization Action Report (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"), proposing three goals.Realize carbon neutrality of its own operation no later than 2030;The carbon emission intensity of the upstream and downstream value chain will be halved no later than 2030, taking the lead in achieving carbon neutrality of cloud computing and becoming a green cloud;It will take 15 years to drive ecological carbon reduction of 1.5 billion tons with the power of the platform[70]。
On February 18, 2022, at the special press conference of "Beautiful China · Green Winter Olympics" held by the 2022 Beijing News Center, Wang Jinnan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Environmental Planning Institute of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said, "The Beijing Winter Olympics has become the first" carbon neutral "Winter Olympics so far."[73]
On the "World Earth Day" on April 22, 2022, Pulsatile announced that its factories in Wuhan and Qionglai will become the first two carbon neutral factories in China's beverage industry, which is also the first batch of Danone's carbon neutral factories in China.[74]
In November 2022, at the "Chengdu Chongqing Double Cities · Double Carbon Forum 2022",Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutralization patent information platform launched[90]。
In 2022, the first soil carbon neutrality project in Jiangsu will be launched in Chunhua Street, Jiangning District, Nanjing.This project, led by Nanjing Institute of Soil Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, focuses on the research of "soil carbon sequestration" in farmland. The first phase of the project "FACE Experimental Platform" will be completed in December 2022.[91]
On February 28, 2023, the China International Economic Exchange Center released the China Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutralization Progress Report (2022) (hereinafter referred to as the report), which shows that the pressure on China to coordinate economic development, energy security and low-carbon transformation is increasing, but the work of "double carbon" (carbon peak and carbon neutrality) is progressing steadily.[95]
On April 10, 2023, in order to thoroughly implement the major strategic decision of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on carbon peak and carbon neutrality, earnestly implement the deployment requirements of the Implementation Opinions of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government on the Complete, Accurate and Comprehensive Implementation of the New Development Concept to Do a Good Job in Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutralization, and comprehensively promote the construction of the carbon peak and carbon neutrality standard measurement system, Shaanxi Provincial Market Supervision Bureau, Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform CommissionNine departments including the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the Provincial Department of Natural Resources and the Provincial Department of Ecological Environment jointly formulated the Implementation Plan for Shaanxi Province to Establish and Improve the Carbon Peak Carbon Neutralization Standard Measurement System.[98]
In July 2023, the second meeting of the Central Committee for the Comprehensive Deepening of Reform deliberated and adopted the Opinions on Promoting Dual Control of Energy Consumption to Gradually Shift to Dual Control of Carbon Emission.The opinion proposed the work arrangement and implementation path of promoting institutional transformation in a planned and step-by-step manner, which will provide strong policy support for accelerating the overall green transformation of economic and social development and helping to promote high-quality development.[113]
In August 2023, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other nine departments, issued the Implementation Plan for the Demonstration Project of Green and Low Carbon Advanced Technology."The implementation of the green and low-carbon advanced technology demonstration project and the layout of a number of demonstration projects with advanced technology, outstanding emission reduction effect, obvious demonstration effect, and collaborative pollution reduction and carbon reduction are not only conducive to the application and promotion of advanced and applicable technologies, but also conducive to improving the business model and policy environment supporting the development of new green and low-carbon industries and new formats, and promote the formation of competitive advantages of green and low-carbon industriesKey initiatives.[113]
August 15, 2023 is China's first national ecological day. On this important day, the National Development and Reform Commission said that China's carbon peak carbon neutrality "1+N" policy system has been completed and continues to be implemented.Among them, "1" is the "Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Doing a Good Job in Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutralization" issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and the "Action Plan for Carbon Peak by 2030" issued by the State Council, playing a leading role in the "1+N" policy system;"N" includes the implementation scheme of carbon peak in energy, industry, transportation and other sub sectors and sub industries, as well as the guarantee scheme of science and technology support, energy security, carbon sink capacity and other guarantee schemes.At the same time, each province (district, city), based on the actual situation of resource and environment endowment, industrial layout, development stage, etc., has formulated its own action plan for carbon peaking, and put forward practical and feasible task goals.[113]
In October 2023, the Beijing Municipal Market Supervision Bureau, together with the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Zhongguancun Management Committee and other units, jointly formulated the Implementation Plan for Beijing to Establish and Improve the Carbon Peak Carbon Neutralization Standard Measurement System.[102]
In November 2023, the National Development and Reform Commission and relevant departments issued the Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of a Product Carbon Footprint Management System to promote the establishment of a product carbon footprint management system in line with national conditions, play the role of the product carbon footprint management system in promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of production and lifestyle, and provide support for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality.The establishment of the product carbon footprint management system will help promote industrial upgrading and help enterprises save energy and reduce carbon.[113]
On November 28, 2023, the National Development and Reform Commission announced the first batch of carbon peak pilot list, including 25 carbon peak pilot cities and 10 carbon peak pilot parks.[114]
Local layout
On November 6, 2020,Xinyang Municipal People's GovernmentOn behalf of Xinyang Municipal People's Government, Li Zhengjun, Vice Mayor, signed the Cooperation Agreement on Jointly Promoting the Green Development and Industrial Upgrading of Shangtianti Nonmetal Mine Management Zone with the Technology and Industrialization Development Center of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development.The signing of the agreement marks the official start of construction of the first carbon neutral demonstration park in China.[33]
On November 27, 2023, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange announced that it would strive to achieve carbon neutrality in 2024 and achieve net zero emissions in 2040.[103]
On December 6, 2023, the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee and the Asian Paralympic Games Organizing Committee announced that the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Asian Paralympic Games were carbon neutral for the first time in the history of the Asian Games.[104]
Carbon market
Carbon marketIt is a major institutional innovation that uses market mechanism to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote green and low-carbon development.The launch of online trading in the national carbon market provides an important starting point for the achievement of the "dual carbon" goal.
In October 2011, the pilot work of carbon emission trading was launched in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangdong, Hubei and Shenzhen;
At the end of 2017, the National Carbon Emission Trading Market Construction Plan (Power Generation Industry) was issued and implemented, requiring the construction of a unified national carbon emission trading market.
In July 2021, the national carbon emission trading market will start online trading.The power generation industry became the first industry to be included in the national carbon market, and more than 2000 key emission units were included.China's carbon market will become the largest global market covering greenhouse gas emissions.[39]
National initiatives
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Country
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measures
U.S.A
June 11, 2001
Bush abruptly withdrew after taking office as President of the United States《Kyoto Protocol》。For mitigationglobal warmingAs far as efforts are concerned, Bush's decision is undoubtedly a heavy blow.[14]
January 22, 2007
Several large enterprises urged President Bush of the United States to take action to limit the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.[15]
November 2014
ObamaAn agreement was reached with President Xi Jinping, promising to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percentage points from 2005 levels by 2025.China also promises to gradually reduce carbon dioxide emissions after reaching the peak of carbon emissions by 2030, and will strive to achieve it as soon as possible.[16]
March 19, 2015
USA presidentBarack Obama Signed an executive order requiring the US federal government departments to reduce thegreenhouse gasesDischarge.To achieve this goal, the federal agencies of the United States government need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21 million tons from the total emission level in 2008.[16]
April 22, 2021
Biden In the opening speech of the Climate Summit, the leaders announced that they would expand the emission reduction commitment of the US government, that is, reduce the US greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 compared with 2005, and achieve the carbon neutral goal by 2050.[24]
european union
November 28, 2018
The European Commission issued a long-term vision, with the goal of achieving "carbon neutrality" by 2050, that is, reducing net carbon emissions to zero.According to the press release issued by the European Commission on the same day, this long-term vision reflects how the EU will lead the "carbon neutral" development path and ensure the fairness and justice of social transformation by investing in realistic technology solutions, empowering people, and coordinating actions in key areas such as finance and scientific research.[6]
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The EU hopes to achieve "carbon neutrality" by 2050, while Germany has set itself the goal of 2045.[58]
Northern Europe
November 2019
The Nordic countries Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland signed a joint statement on climate change in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.In the statement, the five countries said that they would work together to increase efforts to tackle climate change and strive to achieve the goal of "carbon neutrality" faster than other countries in the world.[18]
Japan
October 26, 2020
According to the website of New Scientist magazine in the UK, the Japanese government said that it will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and the "next generation" solar cells may play an important role in the process of achieving this goal in Japan.Japan is the fifth largest carbon emitter in the world. Its previous goal was to reduce its emissions by 80% by 2050, in line with the UK and the EU. Climate analysts rated Japan's previous commitment as "seriously inadequate".[5]
April 22, 2021
At the Leaders' Climate Summit, the Prime Minister of JapanKan YiweiIt said that Japan would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from the level in 2013 fiscal year by 2030, far higher than the previous target of 26%, and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.[24]
Brazil
April 2021
At the online leaders' climate summit held by the United States, President Bosonaro of Brazil promised that Brazil would be carbon neutral by 2050[23]。
Canada
June 29, 2021
According to a statement reported by Reuters, Canada can only sell zero emission cars and trucks from 2035. To this end, the government will provide a series of policies and financial support to help related enterprises transform. The Canadian government also said that it will set medium-term goals for 2025 and 2030.
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Canadian Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in the statement: "We are committed toZero emission vehicleThe sales targets are consistent with those of the North American jurisdictions. ""We will work with the United States to coordinate fuel efficiency regulations, and invest in consumer tax rebates, charging stations, corporate tax cuts and industry transformation costs“[37]
Switzerland
September 2021 Message
Switzerland has just decided that its military plans to be carbon neutral by 2050.[57]
Germany
October 7, 2021
KfW Bank released the latest research results, which show that Germany needs to invest 5 trillion euros to achieve the goal of "carbon neutrality" by 2045.
Russia
November 1, 2021 local time
The Prime Minister of Russia approved the Social and Economic Development Strategy for Russia to Achieve Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050.According to the strategy, Russia will achieve low greenhouse gas emissions while achieving sustainable economic growth, and plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.[62]
India
November 1, 2021
Indian Prime Minister Modi said when attending the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK, that India is committed to achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2070.Modi said that by 2030, 50% of India's electricity will come from renewable energy.In 2020, renewable energy will account for about 38%.[63]
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India has made many commitments on carbon emissions, but the progress is not as expected
2015
India has committed to quadruple its power generation from wind, solar and other renewable sources (such as small hydropower plants) to 175GW by 2022.But until September 2021, its renewable energy will only reach more than 100GW.[64]
Denmark
August 2022
On the 22nd, the mayor of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, Sophie Anosen said that Copenhagen is abandoning the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2025 because an environmental protection enterprise does not meet the government's funding standards for carbon capture.[85]
Corporate offset
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Step 1: calculate the carbon footprint and establish a low-carbon system.
Carbon footprintThe calculation is to conduct emission source inventory and data collection for all possible sources of greenhouse gases produced by the enterprise, so as to understand the enterpriseGreenhouse gas emissionsThe data and information collected by source and quantification is the first step towards realizing carbon management.carbon emissionThe report verification is a formal written statement provided by a third party for the guarantee statement of the data information obtained from the inventory.
Step 2: reduce carbon emissions
Through the inventory of the enterprise's emission sources, we can learn more about the enterprise'scarbon emissionA series of effective measures should be formulated accordingly to reduce the carbon emissions generated in the production and operation of enterprises.
Step 3: Realize carbon neutrality
Voluntary through purchaseCarbon emission reductionHow to realize the amountcarbon emissionThe basic principle of offsetting is voluntariness, that is, neutralization of transactions.The realization of carbon neutrality is usually jointly completed by the buyer (emitter), seller (emitter) and trading institution (intermediary).[19]
social activities
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The products of Tesco Supermarket, the largest retailer in the UK, even displayed“Carbon footprint”Consumers can know the total amount of carbon dioxide produced in the production, processing and transportation of the product.
In 2003, American film actorsleonardo dicaprio He paid to plant trees in Mexico, so he claimed that he was the first carbon compensation in the United Statescitizen。
Zhou Xun participates in carbon neutral activities
At 7:30 p.m. on March 31, 2007, Sydney began to power off for one hour, to alert the world that global warming is a reality, and everyone should do something about it.It was reported in April that Ashton Hayes, located in Cheshire, England, is a small village with a population of more than 1000.Fifteen months ago, Britain's first "carbon neutral" village was built here[11]。In October, European rock music lovers held an environmental protection music festival, in which they promoted the environmental protection method of folding chairs.So that the word "carbon neutral" is known to more people.[8]
On March 9, 2009, Zhou Xun, as the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme in China, appeared at the meeting to advocate carbon compensation activities in Beijing, and bought 238 saplings needed to offset the carbon dioxide of air mileage in 2008 from his own pocket.On August 5, China's first carbon neutral enterprise was born.On August 5,Tianping Automobile Insurance Co., LtdSuccessful purchase of Beijing during the Olympic GamesGreen travel8026 tons generated from activitiesCarbon emission reductionIndex, used to offset the amount ofcarbon emissionBecome the first Chinese enterprise to achieve carbon neutrality by purchasing voluntary carbon emission reductions[13]。On November 17, Shanghai Jifeng completed China's first carbon neutral transaction[12]。
A vehicle that travels 20000 kilometers in the city every yearLarge displacement vehicleReleasedcarbon dioxide2 tons.Every liter of fuel burned by the engine releases 2.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
human body
Each person releases about 1140 grams of carbon dioxide every day through breathing.However, as long as photosynthesis exists, the carbon dioxide consumed in food production is basically in balance with the carbon dioxide released through respiration.
Botany
Plants absorb carbon dioxide during the day and release it at night.
computer
Average annual weight is 10.5 kg.
Halogen bulb
The average annual weight is 10.8 kg.
Heating
usekeroseneHeating as a fuel emits 2400kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.The carbon dioxide emission of using natural gas is 1900 kg, while that of electric heating is only 600 kg.
Washing machine
The average annual weight is 7.75 kg.
Refrigerator
Average annual weight is 6.3 kg.
Imported fruit
Transport 1 ton by aircraftMangoOr pear, the flight mileage is 10000 km, and the carbon dioxide emission is 3.2 tons
industry
Food industry
In the ranking of industries contributing to global warming, the food industry is a type of industry with high contribution - the food industry accounts for aboutGreenhouse gas emissionsOne quarter of the total.Establish a food carbon index grading system[44], increase greenLow carbon foodDevelop and encourage foodCarbon labelDevelopment and application of and guide consumers to chooseLow carbon productsIt is urgent to achieve "carbon neutrality" at an early date.[45]
At the launching ceremony of the "Chinese Inventory 2021" activity jointly sponsored by the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, the Commercial Press, etc., the international words of the year were selected.
December 30, 2021
China News Weekly announced the top ten hot words of 2021, and "carbon neutrality" was selected.[71]
January 5, 2022
Carbon neutrality: the opportunity of new energy vehicles is listed as the key word of 2021 smart travel.[72]
August 2022
"Carbon neutrality" was included in the newly revised Dictionary of Modern Chinese Norms.[87]
Industrial technology issues
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On June 27, 2022, at the closing ceremony of the 24th annual meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology, the China Association for Science and Technology solemnly released 10 industrial technology issues that play a leading role in industrial development, including "How to achieve low-carbon development of the thermal power industry in a carbon neutral context?".[83]
Meaningful value
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As a major strategic decision of carbon peaking and carbon neutralization, "30/60" will have a great impact on our production and lifestyle.Yi Gang said that the connotation of turning to green and low-carbon is very rich, focusing on reducing carbon emissions.Carbon emission has externalities. Carbon emission enterprises and users have not paid due costs for carbon emission, so it has negative externalities for the society. Units with more carbon emissions make profits at their own low costs, but it has caused negative externalities for the whole society and the public.The future green exchange is to let the society know who emits carbon and accept public supervision by strengthening information disclosure requirements, which is an important aspect of green transformation.[94]
