美国碳强度指标走势及其对中国的启示

碳强度作为衡量二氧化碳排放量与GDP关系的指标,将成为中国减排工作的一个约束性指标。它不仅受能源效率影响,更受能源结构的影响,与能源强度相比,其实质上是一个能源质量的问题。美国早已建立了全面的碳强度指标系统及完善的数据收集系统,并出台了众多相关政策。美国二氧化碳排放强度从2000年的521t二氧化碳当量/百万美元(2005年价)下降到2009年的416t二氧化碳当量/百万美元(2005年价),9年间下降了20.15%。在能源供应相关碳强度方面,自2000年以来也呈逐年下降趋势,且2008~2009年间下降尤为突出,可见碳强度指标真实地反映了美国经济发展的趋势及强弱。美国信息产业不仅GDP贡献值远高于传统工业,且碳排放量也远小于传统工业。新能源已被赋予了改变美国命运的重要使命,特别是风能已成为美国非化石能源发展的主力军。我国除应对气候变化外,还面临着扶贫、就业、区域差距等一系列发展问题,实现碳强度指标降低任务非常艰巨。建议政府首先应在中央层面建立一个全面而又公开的碳强度信息数据系统,这是所有工作的起点和基础,并将碳强度指标纳入地方经济发展考核目标;借助"十二五"发展契机,推动国内能源结构调整,促进经济结构转型,加速低碳城市创建,注重节能技术的创新开发和应用;逐步应用新的清洁能源取代化石能源,推动新能源的应用和产业发展。

Trends in US Carbon Intensity Indicator and Enlightenment to China

Carbon intensity ,as an indicator for the relationship between carbon dioxide emission and GDP,will become a restrictive indicator used in China＇s emission reduction campaign.It is not only affected by energy efficiency,but also,and even more,by the energy mix.Compared with energy intensity,carbon intensity is actually an issue about the quality of energy.The United States has long since established a comprehensive carbon intensity indicator system and a well-functioning data acquisition system and has enacted a series of relevant policies.The United States＇ carbon dioxide emission intensity dropped by 20.15% in nine years to 416t of carbon dioxide equivalent per 1 million US dollars（at 2005 price） in 2009 from 521t per 1 million US dollars（at 2005 price） in 2000.The United States＇ carbon intensity associated with energy supply has also been declining since 2000 and this drop was especially significant during 2008 to 2009.This indicates that carbon intensity truly reflects the trends and strength of the US economy.The US information industry＇s contribution to GDP is far higher than that by the country＇s traditional industry ,but its carbon emission is much lower than that by the traditional industry.Alternative energy has been endowed with a task of changing the fate of the United States.Wind power has now become the main component of the United States＇ non-fossil energy fleet.In addition to tackling a changing climate,China faces a series of issues associated with development including poverty ,employment and regional difference, so meeting the objectives of reducing carbon intensity is very challenging.The government should set up a comprehensive,open carbon intensity information system sponsored by the central government,which will serve as the starting point and foundation of all work. Carbon intensity indicators should be incorporated into the evaluation of local economic growth.During the Twelfth Five-Year Plan period,the country should push the adjustment to the national energy mix,promote the transition of the economic structure, accelerate the construction of low-carbon cities, strengthen the innovative development and application of energy-saving technology,gradually replace fossil fuels with new cleanburning energy sources and promote the use of alternative energy sources and the development of the alternative energy industry.