Regulation of Carbon Capture and Storage in China: Lessons from the EU CCS Directive

Abstract

Is CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) a super hero who successfully deals with the issue of climate change or a dangerous monster who will bring a series of environmental risks and problems? In the context of global climate change, that is a hard question that has to be answered. As a big developing country with 75% of its electricity supply generated from thermal power China is at a crucial crossroad on how to respond to the issue of climate change. On one hand, China needs to develop its economy, this means that in the short term, China cannot escape its dependence on fossil fuels; and on the other hand, China is also facing strong international pressure on carbon emission reduction, this means that China will have to abate the use of fossil fuels. However, CCS gives China a new road and a brilliant hope especially in the context of China’s national climate change law which is in the legislative process, although there is no special law to regulate CCS. The legislature should develop a reasonably clear legal framework for CCS to ensure environmental safety and sustainable development. In recent years, the European Union has been trying to play a leadership role in the global action response to climate change. As proof of its determination to deal with the issue of climate change, the EU has been seeking a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions. For this purpose, the carbon capture and storage becomes a crucial technology. Therefore, the experience of the EU CCS legal framework will have more implication for China.KeywordsCarbon Capture and Storagecarbon emission reductionEU CCS legal frameworkclimate change