The Chinese energy system: implications for future carbon dioxide emissions in China.

This paper analyzes China`s energy resources and their development, national energy consumption patterns, the achievements and remaining problems of electricity generation, China`s energy conservation in an international perspective, historical carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) emissions in China, and environmental challenges for the Chinese energy system in the CO{sub 2} context. It is shown that for as far ahead as can be seen, the country is bound to rely mainly on coal to fuel the development of its economy and thereby improve the Chinese standard of living. Given this prospect and the serious environmental pollution from the inefficient use of coal, China`s efforts to combat air pollution must be directed at much more efficient coal utilization. The article outlines a number of no-regrets policy measures that have been or will be implemented. Moreover, with little prospect of significant change in the coal-dominated energy structure in China, it is concluded that the implementation of these measures is expected to be accelerated when curbing global CO{sub 2} emissions requires special action on China`s part. 105 refs., 6 figs., 16 tabs.