Energy technology revolution and China’s air pollution governance

Abstract

Energy revolution and environment protection are two core missions of the Chinese government. In the wintertime of 2017-2018, China suffered a serious gas shortage, which exposed the problems in the energy and environment sector. The government explained the shortage by providing the reasons of gas storage capacity inadequacy, pipeline networks interconnection problem, and the Central Asia’s gas supply reduction. The air pollution governance policies have huge influence on the shortage. Energy is one of the factors that could profoundly affect the air pollution governance. From the reasons analysis of the shortage, some energy technology challenges are revealed. The energy technology revolution should incorporate the arrangements of the air pollution control into its development process, and focus on the issues of enhancing the response to environmental policies, establishing a sustainable dynamic mechanism, and emphasizing the innovation of concept and approach. For promoting the energy technology revolution, the following strategies should be applied: a) ensuring sufficient investment; b) reforming the energy systems and mechanisms; c) improving the policies and laws; and d) strengthening international cooperation.