Clean and low-carbon heating in the building sector of China: 10-Year development review and policy implications

Abstract

Space heating in China relies heavily on fossil fuels that cause heavy air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The clean heating policy began in 2013 to improve air quality and is now expanding to clean and low-carbon heating (CLCH) for the 2030 carbon dioxide peaking targets. However, few studies have focused on the transformation of China's heating sector over the past decade. The heating areas in China are categorized into urban areas in Northern China, town areas in Northern China, rural areas in Northern China, and regions in Southern China. Six types of CLCH technologies with the highest potential and prospects were reviewed and summarized. In northern urban and town areas, waste heat utilization could help achieve zero-carbon district heating. However, energy-efficient and affordable distributed (household) heating technologies should be promoted in rural and southern areas. In addition, the energy-efficient retrofit of buildings is crucial for reducing heating energy demand and should be given priority. This review provides an overview of CLCH development in China and can be used as a reference for other countries to develop heating strategies.