Digital Transformation and Rule of Law Based on Peak CO2 Emissions and Carbon Neutrality
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Levels and Problems: Analysis of the Current Situation of Peak Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Carbon Neutrality
2.1. The Incongruity between the Central and Local Authorities
2.2. The Lack of the Rule of Law
2.3. The Problem of Technical Support
2.4. Campaigning for Carbon Reduction
3. Value and Logic: Relationship Compatibility in Carbon Peak, Carbon Neutrality, Digital Technology, and the Rule of Law
3.1. At the Macro Level, Attention Should Be Paid to the Role of Numbers and the Rule of Law in the Sound Development of an Economic Society, along with the National Governance System and Production Capacity
3.2. At the Micro-Level, We Need to Pay Attention to the Protection of People’s Legitimate Rights and Interests, As Well As the Key Links in the Construction of the Rule of Law and a Digital and Green Government
4. Mode and Application: The Digital Mode Transformation of the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutralization, and the Technical Principles
4.1. To Enhance the Credibility of Digital Carbon Peak Goals and Carbon Neutrality through the “Whole-Process Trace” Theory and Certification Mechanism, via Blockchain Technology
4.2. Realizing the Refinement of the Digital Carbon Peak Goal and Carbon-Neutral Management through the “Decentralization” and Consensus Mechanism of Blockchain Technology
4.3. To Enhance the Effectiveness of Governance in Digital Carbon Peak and Carbon-Neutral Management, through the “Unforgeable” and Collaborative Mechanisms of Blockchain Technology
5. System and Approach: Legal Guarantee Path of Digital Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality
5.1. In the Construction of Smart Cities, It Is Necessary to Complete the Legal Proposition of Urban Governance in the Coordinated Construction of a Low-Carbon City or Smart City
5.2. In the Area of Corporate Governance, the Establishment of a Compliance Mechanism for Digital Platforms Is Needed
5.3. In Global Governance, the Establishment of a Rule of Law Mechanism in Cyberspace Regarding Global Climate Change Needs to Be Promoted, in the Context of a Community for the Shared Future of Mankind
5.4. In the Specific Rule of Law of Mechanism Construction, There Is a Need to Emphasize the Customization of the Conventional Rule of Law Response Program
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Countries | Carbon Peak Time | Carbon Neutral Time |
---|---|---|
Britain | After Britain reached its peak in the early 1970s, it has been in a plateau period for a long time, with emissions now falling about 40% relative to peak levels. | 2050 |
Germany | After reaching a peak in Germany in the late 1970s, a long-term plateau has occurred; current emissions relative to peak levels are about 35%. | 2050 |
The United States | The United States reached its peak in 2007, after a slow decline in current emissions relative to peak levels of about 20%. | 2050 |
Japan | Japan’s 2013 emissions level is the highest on record; future trends remain to be seen. | 2050 |
Korea | Korea has not yet reached a peak in emissions. | 2050 |
China | China has not yet reached a peak in emissions; it is anticipated by 2030 (projected). | 2060 |
Concrete Progress | Content Representation |
---|---|
First, the system is completed. | In addition to the Beijing measures for the administration of carbon emission trading, the relevant competent authorities have also formulated and issued supporting policies and technical documents, such as the big data method for quota approval, the administrative measures for verification agencies, and the detailed implementation rules for over-the-counter transactions. Beijing is the first and so far the only market to introduce open-market operation management measures. |
Second, the carbon price is stable and reasonable. | Since the creation of the Beijing Carbon Market, the average annual transaction price of carbon emission quotas has always been CNY 50–70/ton, the overall year-by-year upward trend. Compared with other domestic regional carbon markets, the Beijing Carbon Market has higher carbon prices and less trend fluctuation. |
Third, the way of trading is flexible. | Each transaction participant may choose either an online public transaction or an offline agreement assignment, according to their own circumstances. |
Fourth, the trading subjects are diverse. | At the initial stages of operation, the carbon market in Beijing mainly controlled the direct and indirect emissions of more than 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year from fixed facilities, in industries such as thermal power production and supply, thermal power generation, cement manufacturing, and petrochemicals production. Since 2016, the target has been lowered to more than 5000 tons, and the number of key platoon units covered has increased from more than 400 in the initial period to more than 900. By the end of 2020, more than 1000 enterprises, institutions, and investment institutions had participated in carbon market activities in Beijing. |
Fifth, the digital practice of carbon neutrality is lucrative. | The Beijing carbon market has been committed to promoting voluntary emission reduction and carbon-neutral behavior of enterprises and individuals, through big data, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies, to promote the sustainable creation of the carbon-inclusive market. |
Time | Initiatives and National Pilot Name | Organization (Grant) | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
March 2012 | Chengdu was listed as a “Sustainable and livable city” project between China and the United States. | National Development and Reform Commission | This kicked off Chengdu’s efforts to combat climate change and promote low-carbon development. |
June 2014 | Chengdu was included in the national ecological civilization demonstration zone. | National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and other departments | This is marking the city’s efforts to promote ecological construction by the state. |
April 2016 | The Chengdu project of “Low-carbon City in Switzerland, China” was launched, and the “China–Switzerland International Seminar on low-carbon City Construction and Industrial Development” was successfully held. | The Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation works closely with the Chengdu municipal government of Sichuan Province | It combines international cooperation with low-carbon demonstration projects. |
March 2017 | Chengdu was designated as part of the third group of national low-carbon pilot cities and has been compiling the “Chengdu Green Low-carbon Development Report” blue skin for several years. | The National Development and Reform Commission | It has set new requirements for a green, low-carbon city in Chengdu. |
September 2018 | Chengdu won the 2018 Global Green low-carbon Pioneer City Blue Sky Award. | Global Green low-carbon Field Blue Sky Award Organizing Committee | Chengdu implementation of green low-carbon achievements by the international community. |
December 2019 | “Green Rong” green financial supermarket officially launched. | Sichuan United Environment Exchange | It plays the role of a financial service entity economy and provides more diversified financial tools and services for green industries. |
September 2020 | Chengdu issued guidance on the construction of the “Carbon Huitanfu” mechanism implementation. | The Government of Chengdu | It has set up a positive guidance mechanism that combines policy incentives, business incentives, and carbon emissions trading. |
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Yang, J.; Zheng, C.; Liu, H. Digital Transformation and Rule of Law Based on Peak CO2 Emissions and Carbon Neutrality. Sustainability 2022, 14, 7487. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127487
Yang J, Zheng C, Liu H. Digital Transformation and Rule of Law Based on Peak CO2 Emissions and Carbon Neutrality. Sustainability. 2022; 14(12):7487. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127487
Chicago/Turabian StyleYang, Jiwen, Chaoran Zheng, and Hua Liu. 2022. "Digital Transformation and Rule of Law Based on Peak CO2 Emissions and Carbon Neutrality" Sustainability 14, no. 12: 7487. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127487