A Statistical Review of Considerations on the Implementation Path of China’s “Double Carbon” Goal

Abstract

The goal of “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality” is China’s long-term development strategy for low greenhouse gas emissions in the 21st century (hereinafter referred to as the “double carbon” goal), with the goal that carbon dioxide emissions strive to reach an emissions peak by 2030 and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Achieving the goal of “double carbon” is an inherent requirement for promoting high-quality development. Conforming to the development trend of the times, the “double carbon” goal is the necessary path of industrial transformation. The current situation of China’s energy production, consumption, and utilization in recent years shows that China’s energy has a simple structure, heavy external dependence, and low utilization efficiency which severely restricts the realization of China’s “double carbon” goal. Commencing the analysis of the current situation, this paper summarizes the implementation path from a “carbon emission reduction” and “carbon-negative technology” to accelerate the realization of the “double carbon” goal. First, statistical methods are used to analyze the implementation of a “carbon emission reduction” based on industrial technology reform, an energy structure adjustment, market mechanisms, public participation, and international cooperation. Second, the “carbon negative technology” path is explored in terms of afforestation, carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS), ecological management, and other technologies. In addition, feasible suggestions are made for four relationships, namely, the short and long-term, overall and local, development and emissions reduction, and government and market. This paper contributes to the study of energy development in the world and serves as a reference for follow-up studies.