Assume that this report from Reuters and Ember’s cited in it are accurate:
(Reuters) – China’s aluminium sector must shut dedicated power capacity equivalent to more than Germany’s entire coal fleet over the next decade to keep Beijing on track to meet its carbon pledges, climate think tank Ember says.
China accounts for more than half of global aluminium production, churning out 37 million tonnes in 2020. President Xi Jinping has vowed China will achieve peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.
Ember, in a report to be published on Monday, says China’s record aluminium output last year emitted more C02 than some entire countries, including Indonesia and Brazil.
Avoiding conspiracy theories and science fiction, what conclusions can you reasonably draw from that? For me two leap to mind.
First, the Chinese authorities are relatively unconcerned about carbon emissions. Whether they are concerned at all is indeterminate but they have priorities that loom much larger for them. From that in turn I think we can speculate that either they’re taking a IBGYBG attitude towards it, they don’t believe the same things that Western climate scientists do, that their reputation for longitudinal thinking is greatly exaggerated, or some combination.
Second, they have no intention of doing anything under the Paris Accords. That in turn renders the Paris Accords moot.
You get a hint of Chinese attitudes towards international regulation by how well it follows ocean fishing limits. Catch me if you can.
But there is a plan in the works to stop global warming and environmentalists don’t like THAT either.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/balloon-test-flight-plan-under-063032967.html
Old topic; same two conclusions.
Of course one could also conclude that they are just fine with, and perhaps amazed at, the West’s politicians once again practicing industrial self immolation under the new administration. But then, look at the last 11 months of clownish public policy re: covid.
And you guys wonder why I’m so cynical about government.
industrial self immolation
I’m certain they are amazed, emboldened, and uncertain whether to destroy us or wait for us to commit suicide.
But they know Joe, know him well, so for at least four years war seems like a waste of resources when you can get Americans to negotiate away their advantages.