ECONOMIC TRANSITION IN CHINA: TOWARDS TO THE LOW CARBON ECONOMY

Abstract

The dissertation focuses on low-carbon economic development in China and advanced experiences from other countries. It will give suggestions for policy and plan makers. This research is conducted against the background of climate change and the transformation of human civilization, globalization and the game of international “Carbon Politics”, as well as urbanization and the “carbon management” of cities. Especially, the 18th CPC National Congress put forward the overall plan for promoting economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress, and emphasized that we should give high priority to making ecological progress and strive for green, circular and low-carbon development, which makes this research have greater practical significance. More importantly, at Doha Climate Change Conference concluded on December 8, 2012, China pledged to reduce its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40% to 45% by 2020 compared to the levels in 1990. This means that China will assume greater responsibility in coping with climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Such responsibility makes this research be of greater global significance.

Now, China has become the 2nd largest economy in the world and the largest emitter of CO2. Even though its carbon emissions per unit of GDP and per people are much lower than some developed countries. China’s growing influence makes it a focal country for international attention and a target for criticism. This paper argues that vigorously developing low-carbon economy will be the only way for human beings to find a way out of crisis and enter the road to sustainable health and happiness. The construction of low-carbon cities is the inevitable choice for China’s new urbanization.