Energy efficiency and climate-friendly development in one province (Jiangsu) and in selected cities

Project description

Title: Energy efficiency in one low carbon province (Jiangsu) and in low carbon cities
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB)
Lead executing agency: National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
Implementing partner: Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission (JDRC)
Overall term: 2010 to 2015

Context

Promoting energy efficiency is a key component of China’s energy and climate policy. As part of its 12th Five Year Plan, the Chinese Central Government has set itself the goal of reducing energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 16 per cent by 2015, compared to the figure in 2010, and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent. Furthermore, China is aiming to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 40 to 45 per cent by 2020. Energy intensive industries and the buildings sector in Jiangsu play a particularly important role in this regard as heavy industry is a characteristic feature of the province and urbanisation is growing particularly fast (recording the second largest level of growth compared to other Chinese provinces).

Objective

Economic development in the province of Jiangsu is climate friendly. The Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission (JDRC) achieves its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 19 per cent per unit of gross domestic product by 2015 and increasing energy efficiency, as set out in the 12th Five Year Plan. The capacity for developing and implementing low carbon development strategies in industry and in the buildings sector is strengthened.

Approach

The project supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by identifying and disseminating low carbon development strategies and practices. The most important Chinese partners are the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Jiangsu Development Reform Commission (JDRC). In consultation with the provincial government, the project works together with towns and cities, sectors of industry, individual enterprises as well as local government agencies, industry associations and company managers.

The key German entities for the implementation of the project are the chambers of commerce in Beijing and Shanghai, Econet Shanghai as well as German businesses operating in the region, among them Siemens, BASF, Bayer Material Sciences and medium-sized enterprises from the energy efficiency sector in the building industry. On the Chinese side, organisations and institutions such as the Development and Reform Commissions (DRCs) at urban and municipal level, Nanjing University, a range of industrial parks and the chemical sector are involved, together with a number of businesses. In autumn 2011, 24 pilot projects were identified to carry out activities; these consisted of four towns and cities/municipalities, 10 industrial parks and 10 industrial enterprises. During the first half of 2012, the number of participating towns and cities in the province of Jiangsu was increased to 13.

By mid-2013, the current situation and the future requirements for low carbon development in Jiangsu had been identified through 23 studies conducted by local institutions. Within this context, the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), a US non-governmental organisation in Shanghai, has drawn up guidelines for the establishment of low carbon development zones. The JDRC and the project are using the findings from the studies as a basis on which to develop and implement further plans.

In cooperation with Beijing Normal University, Econet Shanghai and a number of local and international experts, institutions and businesses, the project has developed curricula for further training measures.

Results achieved so far

By mid-2013, politicians, administrative directors and industry managers had attended 15 seminars, workshops and training courses based on the curricula developed by the project. These enabled them to learn more about broad-impact strategies and technologies for low carbon applications. They gained knowledge on strategies, methods and proposals for energy efficiency in buildings, linked systems in industry, and carbon emissions trading systems.

In November 2012, 29 participants from the pilot municipalities travelled to Germany on a study trip. During the visit, the participants learned about German experiences and successful practices in energy efficiency in industry and the buildings sector. By mid-2013, two of the proposed approaches were already being implemented: an energy-efficient combined heat and power plant from the company MTU for the Taizhou Medical Industrial Park and the Mercedes-Benz ‘car2go’ concept in the city of Huai’an. The study trip also provided an insight into urban and regional planning methods.

The project’s model sites have enabled it to provide evidence that these strategies and technologies can be applied in China. Examples include the passive and low-energy buildings in the Hi-Tech Development Zone in the Wujin district of Changzhou, the low carbon measures implemented by the Jiangsu Liberty Clothing Co. Ltd., and the Taizhou Medical Industry Park as a local example of an industrial linked system.