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Emissions trading scheme (ETS) is one of the effective measures to realize energy conservation and emission reduction. In order to set up a nationwide carbon emissions trading mechanism, seven ETS pilots have been launched in China. Firstly, based on empirical investigation and research of seven pilots, this paper analyzed the market efficiency of ETS pilots from four aspects: carbon price, trading volume, market liquidity, and information transparency. The result showed that the market efficiency of ETS pilots is not satisfactory in spite of the fact that system designs of ETS have achieved preliminary result. Then, the reason for low market efficiency of ETS pilots was discussed from some factors such as institutional arrangements, market participants, the supply and demand, etc. Finally, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions to improve the market efficiency of China׳s carbon trading market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a non-Arctic country and a major energy consumer, China is increasingly interested in participating in Arctic energy development. This study aims to investigate potential strategies to promote China's participation in Arctic energy development. Accordingly, this study analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of China's participation in Arctic energy development based on a discussion of the current status of Arctic energy development and the Arctic policies of major countries. In addition, this work develops strategies in accordance with the above analysis. The results show that China has strengths in terms of capital, energy demand, policy support, and international cooperation when participating in Arctic energy development, while its weaknesses include the lack of core technology and equipment, high carbon intensity of energy development, and geographical disadvantage. China faces opportunities stemming from conflicts among Arctic states, the advancement of global carbon neutrality, and the development of Arctic waterway while facing threats such as increased competition, international public opinion pressure, high development costs, environmental risks, and pandemic instability. Under an integrated framework, this work offers four strategies: Strength-Opportunity (SO), Strength-Threat (ST), Weakness-Opportunity (WO), and Weakness-Threat (WT). Finally, this study proposes specific measures in four areas, including strengthening policy support, promoting technical research and development, enhancing international cooperation, and improving enterprise competitiveness. [Display omitted] • This study examines China's participation in Arctic energy development. • This paper reviews the status of fossil and non-fossil energy in the Arctic. • This study compares the Arctic energy development strategies of major countries. • This study proposes four strategies, namely SO, ST, WO, and WT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper systematically presents a survey of the empirical literature studying the embodied CO 2 emissions in China’s foreign trade (ECCT). Based on the bibliometric method and the online version of Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCI-E) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), this study summarizes the latest publications regarding ECCT in peer-reviewed journals in terms of quantities, most productive countries, institutions, authors, citations, and disciplines. By using synthetic analysis of keyword frequency, this study reveals the most popular methodologies applied in measuring ECCT, discusses the variation of numerical results in the literature, and reasons and countermeasures for the results uncertainties. Continuous investigation of the literature releases the methodology employed for measuring ECCT becoming more reasonable and the results more critical. However, the numerical results of ECCT are of great discrepancies within given year by different considerations on methodology specification, accounting principles, and data sources and processing. For instance, the estimates of CO 2 embodied in China’s exports changed from 478 Mt to over 3000 Mt and those of in China’s imports ranged from 140 Mt to over 1700 Mt in 2007. Therefore, overcoming data inherent limitations and reducing discrepancies among available databases should be urgently considered. The results imply that the prospective research tendencies on ECCT are to (1) improve China’s regional input-output data and energy intensity data to more precise estimates under global perspective; (2) estimate China’s carbon emission at firm level by different firm ownerships in production and consumption worldwide; (3) assess China’s carbon emission from processing or non-processing trade by compiling more detailed multi-regional input-output table; (4) evaluate city level carbon mitigation capacity in China under global MRIO model; (5) explore new carbon management experience in China’s carbon trading market and new trade expansion policy of ‘ one belt and one road’ in her new growth era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern power system planning and operation, the relevance of distributed power generation units and demand-side flexibility options grows. As a consequence, smart planning and operation routines become necessary also in the distribution grid. We therefore develop a co-optimization framework to consider transmission and distribution system constraints and their interactions together. This enables bidirectional flows between both systems, supporting a consistent and cost-efficient overall energy system. The key feature of this paper is an automated coupling of two independently and modularly defined systems. It allows a bottom-up modelling approach of energy demands, conversion and storage technologies from both system levels. However, this approach increases the model size significantly. Thus, timeseries aggregation methods are applied to reduce the computational complexity. The results for the optimal planning of the coupled German energy system show that the electrification of heat and mobility sectors in the distribution grid is not only beneficial to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050, but also to particularly make use of additional flexibility potentials. Our results underline a significant positive correlation between a smart operation of heat pumps and charging stations with the maximum integrable capacities of low-cost rooftop photovoltaics in the distribution system. • Open-source framework to couple transmission system and active distribution grids. • Co-optimization of both system levels enables a holistic model with a global optimum. • Case study: German energy system with the carbon-neutrality target by 2050. • Electrification of residential heat and mobility sector to unlock flexibilities. • Gained flexibilities promote 20% higher PV capacities and reduce system costs by 7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The damage inflicted by global warming is happening far faster than any experts have predicted or anticipated. Since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997 to fight global warming through reducing global greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission, the world climate pattern has worsened at an accelerated rate beyond expectation. While developed countries sanctioned by the protocol are committed to achieve their GHG emission targets, developing nations play similar roles on a voluntary basis. Since almost all of the GHGs emissions come from energy sector, it is obvious that energy policy and related regulatory frameworks play imperative roles in realizing the Kyoto Protocol objectives. With carbon dioxide (CO2) touted as the main remedy in the GHGs emissions, it is only reasonable that carbon trading becomes the essential element in the Protocol. Recently a milestone is marked in the Kyoto Protocol with the 2009 Climate Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, with all participating countries further committed themselves in fulfilling the protocol''s obligations before the commitment period due in 2012. It is worthwhile to review the various energy efficiency efforts and carbon trading potential in Malaysia, a country which although does not bear any obligation, has ratified and lauded the cause of the protocol. Malaysia as a developing nation is seen as a direct beneficiary from carbon trading and in this paper, how the country energy policies have evolved over the years with concerted efforts from the government to minimize its carbon footprint through numerous energy efficiency implementations are discussed in length. The impact from the 2009 Climate Summit on Malaysia is also briefed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Global warming, increased energy demand, and tremendous air pollution are forcing China to revise its energy structure of electricity generation dominated by coal (80% of total electricity) towards low-carbon electricity. Vigorous development of carbon-free energy resources of electricity is a practical way towards low-carbon electricity in China. In this paper, we shall outline renewable power generation (hydropower, wind power, solar energy, biomass energy, nuclear power, ocean energy and geothermal) together with nuclear power for China, present a reserves assessment, the current status, and barriers for further development, and finish with an outlook towards the future. In our view, China has plenty of free-carbon energy resources to revolutionize its electricity structure and redirect it towards low-carbon electricity systems. Needed are the effective energy policies to get to the way. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The assessment of the social cost of carbon (SCC) is an important basis for formulating regional differentiated climate policies. This paper attempts to assess future SCC for eight Chinese regions by using the regional integrated model of climate and the economy (the RICE model), based on four scenarios, namely baseline (BS), carbon emissions trading (CET), carbon quotas (CQ), and carbon tax (CT) for the period 2005–2050. The results show that under the BS, CET, and CT scenarios, the SCC of China's eight regions increases by $22.26/t C, $20.58/t C, and $19.14/t C, respectively, from 2005 to 2050. The CT scenario performed best in terms of impact on CEs and SCC, but in order to do so they will have to bear certain economic losses. There are differences between the SCC of the eight Chinese regions under different scenarios. Under the BS, CET, and CT scenarios, the areas where SCC is highest are distributed in the Central, North Coast, and Southwest regions, and in the CQ scenario, the high-SCC areas are concentrated in the Southwest, North Coast, and Northeast regions. The low-SCC areas are distributed in the Beijing–Tianjin and South Coast regions under all four scenarios. The central and western regions will become the major energy consuming regions after 2025, so they will face a greater pressure than other regions to reduce emissions. • The RICE model is used to calculate SCC in eight Chinese regions from 2005 to 2050. • Regional economic and carbon emission trends are simulated under four scenarios. • Central and western regions will have highest energy consumption in the future. • SCC has meaningful spatial differences across the eight Chinese regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]