Introduction
The sustainable development of the world countries in the context of increasing greenhouse gas emissions is impossible without the creation of measures to solve this problem, and China is no exception to the rule. Moreover, the severity of its position in this relation is added by the rapid progress of the region in major economies, contributing to the worsening situation with air quality (China Power Team, 2018). The recent reports reflect the authorities’ special attention to this area while they lack decisive steps for meeting ecological goals (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). Therefore, the programs elaborated by the Chinese government for improving the environment do not offer adequate solutions and should be complemented by methods aimed at the reduction of greenhouse emissions instead of tackling their consequences.
Background of the Case
The issue under consideration has a decades-long history in China as it is connected to its principal economic activities. Since 2004, the country has been leading in the amounts of greenhouse emissions, and the corresponding indicator reached 28.5 percent of the world share in 2018 (China Power Team, 2018). The situation became alarming, and the intentions of scholars were redirected towards the need to propose measures mitigating the accompanying environmental risks (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). However, the attempts of the government to address the concerns of citizens were complicated by the rapid industrial growth (China Power Team, 2018). At present, no optimal solution to the crisis has been developed, and the balance between the climate considerations and profits is difficult to achieve.
The significance of the matter for the world is conditional upon the effects of China’s problem on overall environmental sustainability. For this reason, it is not surprising that it is actively collaborating with the global community under the Paris Agreement (China Power Team, 2018). Nevertheless, despite the country’s involvement in the process, the domestic circumstances resulting in the emergence of such a threat are not being adequately compensated for. They primarily include the increasing dependence on burning coal for heating premises and manufacturing goods for the citizens, producing 4.64 and 2.84 billion tons of greenhouse gas, respectively (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). Hence, it is reasonable to examine the case in detail to suggest ways to eliminate the specified factors correlating with environmental risks.
Concessions
One of the essential aspects affecting the emissions in China is the government’s concession management. Its consideration is essential due to the fact that local businesses play a significant role in the development of the issue (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). As can be seen from the current policy course, the majority of ideas in this direction are related to the mentioned environmental concerns’ mitigation through accurate predictions, allowing to implement solutions for the energy sector (Xu et al., 2019). They are complemented by the efforts on limiting the access of companies to natural resources through the introduction of carbon restraints and optimization of coal production alongside the deployment of new CO2 emission reduction technologies (Huang et al., 2019). Moreover, the overuse of land and water required for disposing of municipal solid waste is examined by the authorities, which insist on infrastructure restructuring (Ma et al., 2018). In this way, it can be concluded that China is attempting to improve its positions in the rating of countries by their annual greenhouse gas emissions through restricting the economic activity connected to this area.
Refutations
The analysis of restricting governmental actions performed above in terms of eliminating the mentioned side effect of the enhanced industrial progress allows concluding on the three main directions of their initiatives. They are the introduction of new rules for businesses, the shift in fuel manufacturing, and the forecasts of future outcomes of possible solutions to this critical situation. Subsequently, their combination is viewed as an optimal way for overcoming the difficulties adversely affecting the contributions of China to the global task of environmental protection.
Nevertheless, despite the seeming effectiveness of the proposed plans, these projects are insufficient for addressing the scourge of greenhouse gas pollution. The bases for this claim and the refutation of the previously described stance are the results of other studies indicating the controversy stemming from the existing economic schemes (Zhang et al., 2019). For example, the planned construction of a new airport in Beijing and the facilities for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games do not correlate with the general policy on the reduction of emissions (Zhang et al., 2019). Thus, it is impossible to agree with the presented benefits of China’s approach to the problem contrasted by continuing achievements in the field, and the provision of additional solutions is needed.
Solution 1: Renewable Energy
The first suggestion with regard to the necessity to minimize the impact of greenhouse gas on climate change as its main driver is the orientation on elaborating renewable energy. According to the recent governmental report, the principal actions in this relation were limited to the recognition of the importance of air quality and the offer to meet the corresponding standards by reducing emissions (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). However, there are no data regarding new inventions allowing not to manage but eliminate the threat (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). Hence, this neglect serves as the grounds for proposing to pay more attention to alternative sources of energy.
In this case, the modification should come in the form of green investments in contrast to the promotion of the carbon market. For instance, Liao (2018) claims that the latter’s growth can be slowed down through the adoption of an innovative economic model. This practice should be designed based on stricter environmental regulations, the inclusion of tertiary industries, subsidies on renewable energy production, and taxing coal consumption (Liao, 2018). Such a drastic shift will result in short-term financial losses for the present-day Chinese enterprises, but the resolution of the issue of continuously increasing greenhouse gas emissions seems unlikely without it.
Solution 2: Changes in Transportation
The second way to address the identified gaps in ecological measures in China is the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles. It is especially vital due to the primary focus of the government on revealing illegal gas stations and poor-quality oil goods instead of decreasing the dependence on this sphere (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). The former approach has already proved to be inefficient in the long run, and this fact makes the need for finding an alternative way a priority in combatting the problem (Hao et al., 2017). Although this decision might be ineffective from the point of view of expenses, its drawbacks are sufficiently compensated by its suitability to mitigate climate change. Moreover, the consequent replacement of automobiles with battery electric vehicles is possible, even though it will require the fulfillment of the first condition described above, which is the global alteration of the market (Liao, 2018). In this way, the efficiency of the suggested method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be explained by the fact that it beneficially complements other programs in this regard and ensures their positive results.
Solution 3: Policy Regarding Foreign Companies
The third solution to the emerged environmental concerns related to air pollution by CO2 is the adaptation of China’s economic policies with consideration of their influence on the examined tissue. More specifically, it is connected to the provision of beneficial terms for worldwide businesses willing to relocate their production to increase profits. Since the country is attractive for potential investors and entrepreneurs, they significantly affect its ecological indicators (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). What is more important, the complications in this situation stemming from the companies’ selection of Chinese manufacturers as cheaper options for their products’ realization are not recorded in the statistics (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). In turn, the provision of general information on the subject does not present a complete picture. Meanwhile, it makes the demonstration of their share in the process impossible.
To eliminate this obstacle to implementing environmental programs aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical to creating additional barriers to the companies’ entry into China’s market at the state level. They should equalize the opportunities for businesses in other locations around the world with the benefits of the selected place. As a result, this transition will allow ensuring the sustainability of resources corresponding to the matter and, thereby, make a difference for the country’s ecology as a whole.
Future Considerations
Considering all the circumstances around the task of environmental protection and, particularly, air pollution by CO2, China’s outcomes in combatting this challenge remain unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is important to consider the unaddressed aspects in the future. As follows from the analysis above, they include the absence of effective tools for the development of renewable energy sources and the requirement for a wide application of the existing eco-friendly technologies. These steps should be accompanied by the orientation of the government on the compliance of local businesses with international green standards instead of attracting foreign actors focused on profits in the first place. Although the given ideas might lead to financial losses, they are inevitable if China wants to solve the problem and mitigate the risks for the world ecology. From this perspective, sustainable industrial management is conditional upon the adoption of the designed method. As for the concerns of businesses, they should be incorporated into the plan, and the risks deriving from the proposed modifications should be mitigated by the government alongside other measures.
Conclusion
To summarize, the plans of China to reduce greenhouse emissions and thereby improve the quality of air is insufficient for eliminating the implied risks. Hence, the country’s policies should be readjusted in accordance with considerations relevant to the intention to deal with the cause and not the effects. In other words, the establishment of standards for industries dependent on coal is less productive than using renewable energy, eco-friendly technologies for transportation, and the change in operations with foreign companies. Thus, the outcomes of Chinese environmental programs will be positive only in the case if the government shifts the perceptions from the side effects to actual threats.
References
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