China’s powerful state planning agency, National Development and Reform Commission, wants the country’s regions to make firm commitments in cutting the use of coal as part of a broader plan to reduce emissions.
The NDRC said the regions of Shanghai, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang must set targets to curb the use of coal, and instead rely on renewable energy or natural gas. China is aiming to reduce coal use in the capital city Beijing by 13 million metric tons by 2017. This will be achieved by promoting energy-saving projects and eliminating outdated capacities, the NDRC said.
China is the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter. Late last year, it struck a deal with the United States to limit greenhouse gases, agreeing to cap carbon emissions for the first time. China has set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% of the country’s energy mix by 2030.