Sustainability 2010, 2(6), 1553-1557; doi:10.3390/su2061553
Communication

On the Chinese Carbon Reduction Target

Michinori Uwasu 1,* email, Yi Jiang 2 email and Tatsuyoshi Saijo 3 email
1 Sustainability Design Center, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan 2 Department of Economics, Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 535 Fahua Zhen Rd., Shanghai 200052, China 3 Institute of Social Economic Research, Sustainability Design Center, Osaka University, 6-1 Mihogaoka Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0046, Japan
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 30 April 2010; in revised form: 19 May 2010 / Accepted: 27 May 2010 / Published: 2 June 2010
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Abstract: In November 2009, China pledged a 40–45% decrease in CO2 emissions per GDP by 2020, as compared with the 2005 level. Although carbon intensity (emission) targets by nature are ambiguous, this study demonstrates that China’s pledge is consistent with the current Chinese domestic agenda that simultaneously pursues economic growth and energy security. The target numbers in the pledge seem reasonable, given the technological feasibility and measures, considered along with the assumption that moderate economic growth will occur. However, the study also argues that financial and institutional constraints exist as potential obstacles to achieving the target if the trend of the current economic tendencies continues.
Keywords: climate change; China’s pledge; carbon intensity

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MDPI and ACS Style

Uwasu, M.; Jiang, Y.; Saijo, T. On the Chinese Carbon Reduction Target. Sustainability 2010, 2, 1553-1557.

AMA Style

Uwasu M, Jiang Y, Saijo T. On the Chinese Carbon Reduction Target. Sustainability. 2010; 2(6):1553-1557.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Uwasu, Michinori; Jiang, Yi; Saijo, Tatsuyoshi. 2010. "On the Chinese Carbon Reduction Target." Sustainability 2, no. 6: 1553-1557.

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