Understanding China's non–fossil energy targets
Abstract
More than 130 countries have targets for increasing their share of renewable or nonfossil energy (1). These shares and targets are often reported without clear articulation of which energy accounting method was used to convert nonfossil electricity into units that allow comparison with other energy sources (2–4). Three commonly used conversion methods are well documented by organizations dealing in energy statistics, but often, the method is not clearly stated when countries translate national targets into international pledges or when organizations track and compare targets across nations. China—the world's largest energy producer, energy consumer, and emitter of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2)—uses a distinct fourth method that is unique, not well documented in the literature, and not transparent in policy documents. A single, standardized, and transparent methodology for any targets that are pledged as part of an international agreement is essential.
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References and Notes
1
REN21, Renewables Global Status Report 2015 (REN21 Secretariat, Paris, 2015).
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Published In
Science
Volume 350 | Issue 6264
27 November 2015
27 November 2015
Copyright
Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Submission history
Published in print: 27 November 2015
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Energy Foundation China through the Department of Energy under contract DE-AC02-05CH11231, NSF award 1262452, and Georgetown University.
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