Low Carbon Scenarios Vs. Clean Coal Scenarios in China: How to close the Carbon Gap?

Abstract:

The first question addressed by this paper is how the development of coal power in China meshes with the country’s official low carbon policy. The paper then examines the implications of this development for climate and energy policy. There are three possible options for reconciling the gap between coal-power expansion plans and CO₂ reduction scenarios: First, reduction targets could be scaled back such that targets are achieved at a later date than currently foreseen. A second option would be to make use of more advanced coal technologies. As shown in this paper, however, the second option is quite expensive and would only have a moderate impact on CO2 emissions. A third option is the introduction of carbon capture and storage (CCS). This paper concludes that climate policy in China will likely be a process of small and incremental steps, with emissions reductions taking probably longer than currently forecasted. Even if CCS technology is introduced in the next two decades, absolute reductions in CO₂ emissions can first be expected after 2030.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 556-562)
• Pages: 841-848
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.556-562.841
• Online since: May 2014
• Authors: Qian Chen*, Klaus Rennings
• Keywords: Clean Coal Technologies, Climate Policy, Low-Carbon Economy (LCE)

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