*Non-fossil energy consumption should reach around 20% of China’s total energy consumption by 2025;
*Electricity should account for around 30% of total end-user energy consumption by 2025;
*China will actively develop new energy and clean energy while controlling coal consumption and strictly prohibiting new steel capacity.
Guangzhou (JLC), December 8, 2023 – China's State Council released an action plan for the continuous improvement of air quality on December 7, as part of the country’s efforts to promote high-quality economic development and ensure people’s physical well-being.
The action plan outlines a series of measures to optimize the industry structure, energy consumption, transportation sector and pollutant controls.
Aiming at better energy structure
China will actively develop new energy and clean energy, according to the action plan.
By 2025, non-fossil energy consumption should reach around 20% of China’s total energy consumption, and electricity should account for roughly 30% of total end-user energy consumption, the action plan indicated.
China will continue to increase its natural gas production and supply, with priorities given to meet the needs of residents for daily use and clean heating.
The country will also limit coal consumption while ensuring energy supply security, according to the plan.
Coal consumption should be “reasonably and strictly” controlled. By 2025, coal consumption in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta should be reduced by 10% and 5% compared with 2020 levels, respectively, the action plan said.
High-polluting fuels such as petroleum coke, coke or semi-coke should not be used as alternative measures for coal reduction.
Banning new steel capacity and phasing out outdated capacity
China will strictly prohibit new steel production capacity and accelerate the removal of outdated capacity in some key industries, according to the action plan.
The country will also resolutely curb the launch of high-energy-consuming, high-emissions, and inferior-level projects.
Promoting a cleaner transportation sector
China will promote the use of new energy vehicles (NEVs) to reduce carbon emissions. For newly-added public service vehicles, including taxis, buses, sanitation vehicles and city logistics vehicles, 80% or more should be NEVs.
For electric vehicle (EV) charging, fast-charging stations should cover no less than 80% of all service stations along the expressways in the key regions, the action plan indicated.
For fuel quality, China will continue to crack down on illegal sales of fuels (including off-spec fuels) and strengthen oversight on fuel production, import, storage, sales, and transportation.
The action plan also mentioned that freight cargo transport by rail and water should be increased by about 10% and 12% respectively by 2025 compared with 2020.
PM2.5 targets by 2025
China aims to reduce the density of PM2.5 in cities at prefecture levels and above by 10% by 2025 compared with 2020, and keep the number of days with “severe air pollution” to less than 1%, according to the action plan.
Emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) should also be reduced by at least 10% by 2025 compared with 2020.
