On January 3, China unveiled its first Biennial Transparency Report on Climate Change (The People’s Republic of China’s First Biennial Transparency Report on Climate Change).
Source: Compiled Reports
On January 3, China unveiled its first Biennial Transparency Report on Climate Change (The People’s Republic of China’s First Biennial Transparency Report on Climate Change). The report offers an in-depth overview of China’s initiatives and achievements in meeting the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. For the first time, it discloses comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories for 2020 and 2021, provides a clear definition and scope of carbon peaking, outlines criteria for determining whether China has reached peak emissions, and estimates the financial resources required to achieve carbon neutrality.
The report reveals that in 2021, China’s total greenhouse gas emissions, including contributions from land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF), amounted to approximately 12.999 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent—marking a 4.3% increase from 2020. Excluding LULUCF, total emissions reached 14.314 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent.
The report highlights several pressing challenges facing China in its efforts to address climate change:
1. Rising Energy Demand: China’s per capita energy consumption and electricity usage remain below the average levels of OECD countries. As energy demand is expected to grow in the coming years, carbon emissions may also see a temporary rise.
2. Funding Shortfall: A significant financial gap persists in funding climate initiatives, underscoring the need for greater international financial support.
3. Technology Transfer Barriers: Limited access to advanced technologies is impeding the country’s ability to accelerate its climate action.
4.Capacity Building: The report calls for stronger international cooperation to enhance China’s technical and institutional capacity for addressing climate challenges.
The publication of this report signifies China’s commitment to greater transparency in its climate policies and its determination to collaborate internationally to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.