China pushing for green transport revolution

A BAIC Motor new-energy car is on display at an auto show in Guangzhou last August.LIU JIAO/CHINA DAILY

China will continue its "green revolution" to reduce transport-related emission, promoting excavation technology and electric cars, said vice minister of transport Dai Dongchang.

In remarks to an annual ministerial summit in Leipzig, Germany, Dai vowed China will roll out stronger policies and management to peak its carbon emission as soon as possible.

The world's second largest economy promised a deadline of the year 2030 when it signed the Paris Agreement in April, giving a strong push for collective efforts against global warming.

To fulfill such commitment, the country would have to increase non-fossil fuel sources in primary energy consumption to about 20 percent and reduce carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60 to 65 percent from 2005 levels.

"China will pursue green, circular and low-carbon growth," said Dai at the International Transport Forum (ITF) 2016 summit on Thursday, adding that decades of fast-growing industrialization, urbanization and mobility have taken a toll on the environment.

"The country will explore market mechanism measures such as carbon exchange and commissioned third-party operation in transport sector, and upgrade its emission standards," said Dai.

The central government has spent over 3.25 billion yuan in reducing transport emission over the past five years, according to the ministry, while 26 cities were made pilot ones in developing green transportation system.

Green solution in Europe

China's efforts come as the Paris Agreement on climate change opened a new era of initiatives to secure low-carbon transport.

Germany announced last week that its government is offering electric car buyers up to 4,000 euros as part of a subsidy plan. The move is expected to bring 300,000 to 500,000 new purchases of e-vehicles.

Norway, with the fourth biggest number of electric cars, launched a spate of favorable policies including free parking, free toll, and permit to use bus lane as well as sales tax exempt to encourage the purchases.

According to the ITF, transport activity currently contributes 23 percent of CO2 emissions worldwide from fossil fuels, with the share still expected to rise.

The intergovernmental think tank at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has 57 member countries including China and organizes the annual summit of transport ministers.

This year's summit, themed green and inclusive transport, was held in Leipzig, Germany.