Will business save the planet - Essay Example

?Sur The future of green energy in China The past and present of green energy in China China has been accused of being the world leader in emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere among other pollutants. This is because China has the most populations in the world and as such, it is critical to plan for the energy requirements for the citizens. In the recent decade, energy requirements have risen considerably (Economic Intelligence Unit). More important is the conservation of energy to secure the safety and energy sustainability of its future generation. This entails utilizing renewable energy sources that do not contribute to pollution (reasons for using renewable resources). Complete utilization of renewable energy sources, as opposed to non-renewable sources will ensure pollution emissions are reduced to minimum levels thereby conserving the ozone layer (HAVC System). One of the development objectives of China is to foster the growth of wind and solar companies (ACORE). Non-renewable energy is bound to get depleted in the near future. Investing in the non-renewable energy is an appropriate method to alleviate the risk of running out of non-renewable energy. Hence China has secured its place as the world leader in growing its green energy. Approximately a quarter of the world green energy is found in China. Between 2005 and 2010, wind turbines have been constructed at a fast rate in China (Economic Intelligence Unit). China has established itself as an “economic superpower” and is also striving to be the world leader in utilizing green energy. China is no doubt becoming the world’s leader in the exploitation of green energy sources. While, the USA, which is the current leader in green energy investment, is losing momentum in investing in green energy, China is making big strides in exploiting green energy. Hence China is bound to be ranked number one in tapping and exploiting green energy resources. These vibrant efforts made by China have caught the attention of investors like Bloomerg New Energy Finance and Germany among other investors, which contribute to China’s green energy capital (Silverstein 1). China’s efforts to strive to be a leader in utilizing green energy have been become apparent to international stakeholders who can assist China to achieve its energy goals. This assistance could be in the form of financial support or technological research on how to convert green energy to a usable form. In a bid to further its green energy agenda, China is getting rid of companies that utilize non-renewable energy resources. Between 2005 and 2010, China decommissioned power companies that were inefficient in terms of power consumption and this trend is also set to continue. China is also abolishing those companies that contribute to air pollutant emissions (“China’s action on climate change,” 1). Abolishing companies that utilize non-renewable energy sources is a sure way to minimize pollution emissions and attain total green energy dependence. Among the green energy conversion technologies that have gained the most recognition in terms of financing include solar power technologies with the top markets being China, Europe and the United States. However, the United States is losing its grip as the world leader in attracting investments for green energy due to lack of governmental commitment in green energy efforts (Silverstein 1). This shows that China is committed to converting to green energy exploitation. This is shown by the enormous financial investments it is the direction towards green energy. Such is the commitment that will set at the top of the list of the world’s leaders in green energy investment. Other countries that have shown considerable efforts in investing in green energy include Italy, Brazil and India (Silverstein 1). The future of Green Energy in China In China’s 12th 5 year plan, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions was given priority, showing China’s change in attitude towards green energy. In the China’s White Paper, measures have been outlined to lay the foundation for the production of solar and wind technology in a large scale(“White paper on energy” 1). China’s decision to commit to green energy stems from the fact that it is among the countries that contributes most to pollution. Another country that is in the list of countries that contribute most to pollution, like Australia should follow the China’s foot steps in committing to green energy. In order to fast track its target of converting to total green energy application, china is collaborating with like minded partners like Australia. China alone can achieve this goal on its own, but this would take a long time. The fight to convert to green energy dependence is a one country affair. Support is needed for other countries provide financial support, technical support and market for surplus green energy produced. Collaborative efforts between these two countries in the in terms of technology and financing aim at establishing technologies that convert green energy into usable energy (Trevitt 1). Aside from the capital needed to invest into new green energy technology, money will also be saved because, in the long run, the future generation of these two countries will incur little or no energy costs. China is headed in the right direction as regards to the attainment of total green energy dependence. However, attaining this goal is not easy and requires persistent efforts on the part of china. Reports have shown that China dependence on green energy will be high by 2020. If this trend is sustained by the year 2050, a sizable amount of China’s energy will be a source of green energy by 2050 (Martinot and Junfeng 34). In the recent past, China has shown a lot of commitment in striving to render green energy usable. Such efforts should be sustained until China attains its agenda of depending fully on green energy and abolishing the non-renewable fuels like coal and petroleum. At this rate, china is poised to attain its goal in the near future. China’s Five 2011- 2015 Year Plan formulates the green energy targets, efforts, technologies and investments needed to attain absolute green energy in China (World Resources Institute 1). In United Nation’s climate change agreements, China made several promises: China promised to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions considerably by 2020(World Resources Institute 1). With increased green energy dependence, China will achieve this goal since green energy exploitation does not contribute to carbon dioxide emission. Conversion to green energy sources is a sure way to decrease carbon dioxide emissions since renewable energy sources, such as wind & solar power, do not contribute to pollution emissions (World Resources Institute 1). China promised to increase its usage of non-fossil fuels by 2020 (World Resources Institute). Non fossil fuels include green energy sources such as wind & solar power. In order to efficiently tap and exploit this energy source, China must first invest in technologies that convert the energy from their primary form into a form that is usable. China pledged to significantly expand its forest coverage and forest volume by 2020 (World Resources Institute). Increasing forest cover is another way of reducing pollution and global warming. Trees are responsible for removing some of the pollutants (like carbon dioxide from the environment). Increased forest cover means more rain and more water from which hydroelectric power is harnessed. China’s 12th five year plan for 2011-15 outlines several energy and carbon emission targets compared to 2010 levels (World Resources Institute 1): China aims to increase its dependence on non-fossil fuel energy (World Resources Institute). An increase in investment, in green energy resources, will reduce dependence on non-fossil fuels such as petrol. Non-fossil fuels are nonrenewable. Hence, if China continues to depend on them, there will be an energy crisis when then the non-renewable fuels become depleted. On the other hand, China’s dependence on renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, ensures energy security since these energy sources cannot be depleted (World Resources Institute 1). . This will ensure that China has energy security and at the same time the environment is conserved for the future generations as the pollution levels will be minimal if not absent. The renewable energy sources are affordable for developing economies like China. China purposes to decrease energy per unit GDP(World Resources Institute). This entails increasing the efficiency of energy exploitation. Higher efficiency leads to less waste of energy and money while low efficiency signifies little or no wastage of energy. This entails decommissioning companies that are dependent on non-renewable energy sources like coal and formulating measures to discouraging manufacturing companies from utilizing other non-renewable energy sources. China wishes to decrease its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit GDP (World Resources Institute 1). Investing in renewable energy sources will contribute tremendously to reduction of carbon dioxide emissions since do not contribute to pollution (World Resources Institute 1). China being the country with the most population in the world, has been accused of leading the world in producing the most carbon emissions like carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is only logical that China commit to reducing its pollutant emissions through the conversion to green energy. China’s five year plan entails making companies accountable for the pollutants they emit is an effective way to ensure that all stakeholders stay on track on the agenda to convert to green energy. Those entities that do not adhere to the set environmental standards should incur heavy penalties. China has implemented green energy programs in cities like Beijing and Shanghai since these places are strategic and they sustain a large fraction China’s population and industries. The World Bank observed China’s green energy pilots and has given a go ahead for their expansion to the other cities and towns in China by 2015 (Linacre, Kossoy and Amrbrosi). It would be logic for China to begin unveiling its green energy projects from the strategic places rather than the whole country simultaneously. In this light, China has initiated green energy programs in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. This has helped in unraveling and addressing the challenges to do with implementing the green energy agenda. This in turn, will help China to effectively implement the green energy agenda in other areas of the country. Forcing industries that still utilize non-renewable energy resources to pay extra taxes is a good technique to make them to adopt the green energy agenda. The Chinese State Council resolved that it will be suitable to impose a national resource tax as from 2011 (REN21 10). This tax imposition measure will be applicable to entities that produce non-renewable energy resources like coal and crude oil. It aims at discouraging the production and utilization of these non-renewable energy resources by the relevant entities. China leads the world in producing green energy electricity. Other plans in China’s 2011-15 plans include a considerable increase in the production of nuclear energy, solar and hydroelectric capacity and gas-fired energy (“China’s action on climate change “1). In a bid to increase green energy dependence, China is investing in renewable energy such as nuclear energy, solar energy and hydro- electricity. One way of ensuring energy security in China entails exploiting other sources of green energy other that solar and wind power. If any of the green energy sources undergoes a breakdown, the other sources like nuclear energy will still be available to sustain the energy production. Solar and wind energy are solely dependent on weather. Since weather conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, it is logical for China to invest in other sources of green energy like nuclear energy, which is relatively reliable. China also aims to improve its energy efficiency whereby all Chinese companies must adhere to certain energy efficiency standards. This will be an improvement from the previous plan that had only targeted few of the Chinese enterprises that had the poorest energy efficiencies. Parties that contribute most to China’s pollution include manufacturing companies. Therefore, requiring them to meet certain energy consumption limits is a sure way of fostering environmental sustainability (“China’s action on climate change”1). Being the first country to formulate policies that favor green energy, China is set to displace the US as the world leader in Green Energy application (Martinot and Junfen 32). China is fully committed to green energy growth. This will ensure both social and economic sustainability of the country as more green jobs will be created. Establishment of green growth is important because when other countries follow suit, China will be able to outsource its green energy to the interested nations resulting in long-term economic development. The status of China an economic superpower has made it easier to overcome the financial challenges that come with the adoption of green energy. Hence this has enabled China’s green energy to compete favorably with the other non-renewable fuels. This is because China has made green energy application to be economically viable for its citizens. As such, China is on the right path to attaining absolute green energy dependency. However, total green energy dependency requires continuous monitoring and advancement of the policies, technical& human skills and innovation with boost sustainable green energy conversion (Martinot and Junfen 32). It is not enough to formulate objectives regarding green energy growth just because of the availability of green energy resources. Support systems including policies, human and technological skill development, are crucial in the enhancement of clean energy agenda. To sustain the growth of green energy, China must advance its own skills and research and technology institutions to develop skills to manage the green energy projects (Green Growth and Developing Country). The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has predicted that China will need in terms of human skills to manage the green energy projects will increase considerably if the present growth rate of green energy continues (China’s energy security). China will also need to construct an energy research and development institute similar to the one in the US. Green energy projects will demand skilled personnel to be able to manage the technology to harness energy from green resources such as wind and solar resources. Hence green jobs will be created for the local citizens in China. Experienced local skills are essential in ensuring China has achieved its green energy capacity. This institution will support the Chinese industrial sector by providing guidance to the green energy experts and monitoring China’s adherence to international trends in green energy technology. The institution will assist China by providing reliable geographic resource evaluation important for the green energy projects (World Bank). In order for China to achieve its high objectives regarding economic viability in green energy production, support from all the sectors is required. Personnel with relevant skill and experience in the green energy sector will be crucial in directing the efforts to reinforce China’s green energy capacity. The geographical resource evaluation is important because the location of establishing green energy plants is also a crucial factor contributing to the costs of incorporating green energy. Areas that are considered wastelands such as deserts and offshore regions should be considered (Martinot and Junfen 33). The merit of utilizing these wastelands is that wasted green resources are put into productive use, and the cost of the green energy projects is lessened. The skills and organizations charged with testing and equipment approval will be strengthened. The NDRC has already begun to effect this by initiating innovation and expansion efforts. A sure way that promotes technological advancements entails the provision of incentives and fostering cooperation between the stakeholders at an international level. Quality is an effective aspect in ensuring efficiency and maximum production. Therefore, procedures should be formulated to ensure quality standards are reached as regards to the equipment used in the green energy equipment. Quality is also fostered by training the staff who handles this equipment for maximum output. Emphasis on quality standards will minimize resource wastage and further reduce costs. Cost is an essential factor when implementing green energy projects and China needs all the financial support it can amass to be successful. The Renewal Energy Law, formulated in 2005, has gone a long way in reducing the cost of green energy projects, like the wind power. Despite the low prices of wind power in China, these financial conditions may change, and China should be alert for the capital availability for wind power sector (Martinot and Junfen 33). China is trying to subsidize the costs for the electricity generated by the green energy projects. This endeavor is aimed at encouraging the used of green energy in the country because the government needs the support of the citizens in order to achieve its objective of absolute green energy dependence. Such a move is meant for ensuring green energy is economically viable for the exploitation of the common citizen. China has many cities and towns. Therefore, to achieve absolute green energy dependency, favorable policies should be formulated and implemented at all levels so as to affect the whole of China including the remote areas. Each of these places should formulate its own green energy plans (National Climate Change Coordination Group Office of China). China needs all the support in order to incorporate the exploitation of green energy at all levels in the country. This support can be in the form of policy enforcement or financial support to ensure China achieves its green energy goals in the near future. By 2020, China is poised to triple green energy generation. To achieve this, China will have to improve all the green energy sectors including hydropower, solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind power (Martinot and Junfen 33). By 2050, this capacity will increase significantly, and there will be a minimization of carbon dioxide emission to minimal levels. Providing enough green energy sources will ensure the elimination of the dependency on non-renewable energy sources. China must accelerate the development of its domestic industry & cost reduction in wind power technology. China must encourage the use of green energy among the citizens and organizations in order to fast track the goal of achieving absolute green energy dependence. Cost reduction in terms of providing subsidies is key in encouraging the widespread use of renewable energy in China (International Energy Agency). China cannot plan to succeed in its quest to attain total dependency on green energy without enlisting the support of its citizens who are the main stakeholders. Hence to attract the citizens, the Chinese governments should provide incentives that will encourage them to opt for green energy, as opposed to non-renewable fuels like coal and petroleum. China should exploit its offshore wind. The presence of offshore wind is key because it ensures that untapped wind power is harnessed for exploitation and production of energy (Martinot and Junfen 35). Offshore wind is free of charge and is vital in powering wind mills responsible for conversion of wind power to a usable form. The adoption of wind power is vital in reducing the cost of green energy in general rendering it an economically viable source of energy. China should make foster feasibility and prospects of large scale biomass energy plants This entails the compatibility of large scale energy production plants that utilize biomass energy. The energy produced through this technology should be large enough to overcome the cost of establishing the biomass plants (Martinot and Junfen 35). Large scale production of renewable energy will not only ensure that capital costs are recovered, but also enough renewable energy is available. China should ensure progression of feed-in tariffs for favorable energy pricing Low pricing for energy produced through this technology is crucial is ensuring availability of market for this energy resource (Martinot and Junfen 35). Low pricing will attract citizens to using green energy sources for their energy requirements. This means that green energy will be utilized at all levels of China. Hence China will be able to achieve its goal of total energy conversion according to plan. China must produce new technological development products like biogas gasifiers. Effective technology should exist to ensure effecting conversion of biomass energy into usable form (Martinot and Junfen 35). Biomass energy is crucial as a source of green energy because it is easy available to consumers who practice agricultural production. The citizens should, however, be supported by the Chinese government in terms of provision of equipment to convert biomass energy into usable form. China should increase the rate of technological cost reductions for photovoltaics The cost of technology to harness energy for solar photovoltaics is vital in ensuring market availability and economic viability of the technology. Photovoltaics as a source of energy is cheap for the China’s citizens. A cheap source of energy will attract more citizens towards green energy and, therefore, accelerating the rate at which China will achieve its goal of total green energy conversion (World Economic Forum). Green energy obstacles China is trying to revise its energy policies, and the infrastructure to ensure a suitable environment for the implementation of green energy project. However, there are obstacles in China’s bid to increase its capacity for green energy. One of the obstacles includes the heavy industries that are sensitive to changes in the energy sector (“The future of clean energy” 1). The authorities of these industries remain adamant due to ignorance of the benefits of green energy. This false belief that switching to green energy would signify further financial implications that are unnecessary and they would rather continue using coal energy (“The future of clean energy” 1). The officials, most of whom are of the older generation, need education on the importance of green energy to the present and future generations. It is important for China to educate its citizens on the merits of using renewable energy sources, as opposed to exploiting the non-renewable sources. This is because not everyone is willing to accept change unless they are assured of the security. Coal’s energy is likely to grow in the future. China already has a five year plan (2011 to 2015) to establish fourteen coal bases. According to the EIU, the use of coal in China will reduce by the end of the decade. However, this plan will slow down the rate at which China will attain its goal of total dependency on green energy (Trevitt 1). Getting rid of non-renewable sources of energy will not be easy. However, through robust efforts of incorporating policies, subsidies and through education on the importance of green energy, this obstacle will be abolished. Implementing green energy projects is not only about switching from coal and opting for alternative renewable energy sources, but also economic viability so as to sustain China’s industrial growth. Thus, energy security is also a critical factor. In the recent past, China has been affected with frequent power break downs raising fears of energy insecurity (Trevitt 1). The recent global economic crisis is evidence that China should strive to ensure energy security if it stands a chance to avoid the effects of another global financial crisis. Conclusion China is on the road to successfully exploit green energy sources for all its energy needs. China has all the requirements needs to attain this agenda. The Chinese government has shown commitment in providing incentives to its citizens to adopt green energy sources. And China has gone a long way in cooperating with the other like minded countries like Australia to implement green energy projects and conducting research into technologies to effectively convert green energy to usable energy sources. However, it has been pointed out that China should build its own facilities to nurture skills required to manage the green energy projects. China should also ensure consistent application of policies that favor the usage of green energy sources. Works cited “China’s action on climate change.” Clean energy future. 2013 Web. 26 April 2013. Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) and Energy Bureau of NDRC, China RenewableEnergy Outlook 2007. Beijing, 2007. 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