Clean Energy Could Help China Achieve 2035 Economic Aims

Researchers say its efforts could also slash emissions in global win for climate action

- David Fogarty

China is on the cusp of a clean energy-led economic revolution that could not only achieve the government's 2035 development goals, but also slash air pollution and carbon emissions in a global win for fighting climate change, say researchers.

To get there, Beijing needs to enact policies that ramp up investment in renewable energy and green technology manufacturing and innovation, as well as set ambitious emissions reduction targets for the next decade, the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) said in a report published on June 19.

Decisions made over the coming months will be key, the authors said.

China's clean energy industries could double in value by 2035, adding US$2.1 trillion (S$2.7 trillion) to the economy, if the country and the world's other large markets follow emissions targets aligned with the UN Paris Agreement, the planet's main climate pact.

China is already the world's top investor in renewable energy.

Sustained green investment will make an important contribution to China's target of becoming a "moderately prosperous" country in a decade, delivering one-fifth of the targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2035, the authors said.