Main menu For students For teachers Explore our subjects Student events & courses

Teaching Economics

Blog

Unit 2 Macro: Focus on China - Carbon Emissions and Growth

Geoff Riley

26th January 2012

Share this content:

Rapid economic growth in China has led to a sharp rise in C02 emissions per head of population and also electric power consumption per capita. Per capita emissions remain well below those of rich advanced nations but China is now committed to improving the sustainability of her economic growth and also in making big advances in researching, testing, developing and investing in clean energy technologies as a source of future exports. According to the 12th Five-year Plan (covering the years 2011-2015) China aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 16 percent in the five years to 2015. Carbon dioxide emission will drop by 17 percent if the plans are met.

Total C02 emissions from China (Source BP)

Data from Timetric.

To view this graph, please install Adobe Flash Player.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions, China from Timetric

C02 emissions per capita

Carbon dioxide emissions are those stemming from the burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of cement. They include carbon dioxide produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas fuels and gas flaring. Source: Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, United States

Data from Timetric.

To view this graph, please install Adobe Flash Player.

CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita), China from Timetric

News video

Share this content:

Geoff Riley

Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for nearly forty years. He has over twenty years experience as Head of Economics at leading schools. He writes extensively and is a contributor and presenter on CPD and Revision conferences in the UK and overseas.