Zero-Carbon Electrification and a Sustainable Future for China

This joint ETC/RMI report proposes programs for sustainable recovery in China which reflect the specific characteristics of the Chinese economy and policies already in place. The report outlines four key programs with zero-carbon electrification at the core: This joint ETC/RMI report proposes programs for sustainable recovery inChinawhich reflect the specific characteristics of the Chinese economy and policies already in place. The report outlines four key programs with zero-carbon...

This joint ETC/RMI report proposes programs for sustainable recovery in China which reflect the specific characteristics of the Chinese economy and policies already in place. The report outlines four key programs with zero-carbon electrification at the core:

In China's government work program announced in May 2020, the need to invest in new infrastructure, to support new forms of higher quality urban development, and to accelerate the shift to new energy vehicles were identified as priorities. This report argues that zero-carbon electrification should also be a priority, alongside those three, and proposes that the acceleration of zero-carbon electrification is as strategically important as high-speed rail and 5G. 

The decarbonization of electricity generation is essential to make the other pillars of the recovery program green. New IT infrastructure in 5G and data centers, expanded high-speed rail networks, rail and subway systems to support new forms of urbanization, and the scaling up of electric vehicles will generate significant electricity demand. It is important to ensure that growing electricity demand is delivered in a green and zero-carbon way, through increasing percentage of variable renewable supply and supportive infrastructure investment to ensure a secure and reliable power system.

To download the report, please visit www.rmi.org.

Media Inquiries please contact: 
Nick Steel, Media Relations Manager, T: +1 347-574-0887, E: nsteel@rmi.org