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Zhou Yuanchi
Source：中国能源模型论坛（CEMF） Jun 05, 2023
On June 5th, World Environment Day was celebrated in 2023, and the China Energy Modeling Forum (CEMF) held its fourth salon focusing on "Multi-level Pollution and Carbon Reduction: Exploring Paths for Collaborative Innovation." Below is the perspective shared by Zhou Yuanchi, Deputy Director of the Ecological Environment Bureau of Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area.
 
What new developments does the concept of coordinated pollution and carbon reduction bring to management-related work in ecological environmental protection?
 
Vice Director Zhou Yuanchi stated that in terms of traditional pollutant emission reduction, China's emission standards are relatively strict compared to global standards. In recent years, with the rapid development of various monitoring devices and technologies such as online monitoring and mobile monitoring, the comprehensive supervision of polluting enterprises has become more accurate. As the efficiency of pollution control improves, achieving 99% or even zero emissions, the economic investment required also increases and approaches an invisible ceiling. Therefore, the concept of "pollution reduction and carbon mitigation" has brought a new perspective and direction to the environmental protection sector. By considering both pollutant emissions and carbon emissions, the management of pollutant emissions is extended throughout the entire industrial process, expanding into various sectors of economic and social development, including industry, transportation, agriculture, construction, and daily life. This approach has significantly broadened the scope of environmental considerations
 
In the process of promoting coordinated and efficient reduction of pollution and carbon emissions, what are the biggest challenges and key issues that need to be addressed.
 
Vice Director Zhou Yuanchi emphasizes the importance of enhancing the capabilities of management departments, highlighting the need for higher work capacity and knowledge reserves at the grassroots level to achieve coordinated management of multiple pollutants and balance diverse demands during the implementation process. Preliminary coordination has been achieved under the guidance of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation action plans. However, the specific path choices require extensive work to be undertaken. The complexity and technical nature of the problems arising from pollution reduction and carbon mitigation have surpassed the capacity and responsibilities of traditional ecological and environmental protection departments. The involvement of sectors such as energy, transportation, construction, and finance necessitates collaborative breakthroughs among various government departments in terms of regulations, responsibilities, technology, and infrastructure.
 
What are the challenges faced in the process of reducing pollution and carbon emissions in the context of economic recovery and the new international situation?
 
Zhou Yuanchi shared the experiences and insights from Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area. He stated that the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area has been closely monitoring the challenges faced by enterprises in carbon emissions reduction. They emphasize the coordinated and efficient reduction of pollution and carbon emissions to support economic growth of enterprises. Green and low-carbon development, as well as climate change, present opportunities for China-U.S. cooperation and serve as important aspects for China to demonstrate its role as a major country. As mentioned by Li Bing, China should tell a good green story, particularly at the national-level economic development zones, which shoulder the responsibility of showcasing China's level of green economic development.
 
What is the path for coordinated and efficient reduction of pollution and carbon emissions?
 
Zhou Yuanchi answered this question from a grassroots perspective. He emphasized that the development of management capacity for verifying enterprise carbon emissions is just beginning. In terms of the legal and regulatory framework, further improvement is needed, particularly in the management of carbon emissions. The industry sector has diverse demands in terms of technology selection and economic considerations, and it requires collaboration with the scientific research community to assess the feasibility and potential for technology dissemination. The financial sector also needs a deeper understanding of pollution and carbon reduction, taking into account the actual effectiveness of such measures, rather than solely relying on traditional industry classifications to evaluate green projects. In summary, from policy support to data accounting, from technology assessment to financial support, it is necessary to mobilize efforts from various sectors to ensure a smooth and unobstructed path for pollution and carbon reduction, and successfully achieve the goal of coordinated emissions reduction.