2018年-查塔姆研究所_Low-Carbon_Growth_Links_with_China_20页_285kb

Summary of Parliamentary Evidence: Low-Carbon Growth Links with China

Core Content

This document outlines the perspectives of Felix Preston (Research Fellow at Chatham House) and Nick Mabey (Chief Executive of E3G) on the potential for low-carbon co-operation between Europe and China, as presented during a hearing of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee on 6 March 2012. The discussion centers on the strategic, technical, and institutional dimensions of collaboration, emphasizing the need for systemic approaches, clear policy alignment, and effective resource allocation.

Main Areas for Collaboration

1. Low-Carbon Zones

• Initiated by the UK in 2007-2008, the concept of low-carbon zones has been adopted by China, which has set up seven cities and five zones covering 300 million people.
• These zones represent a key opportunity for joint standards development and technology sharing, which could help shape a global low-carbon economy.
• Success depends on aligning these zones with Chinese domestic policy goals, such as regional development and industrial upgrading.

2. Strategic Emerging Sectors

• The seven strategic emerging sectors outlined in China's 12th Five-Year Plan are identified as key areas for collaboration.
• These sectors, including electric vehicles and biotechnology, are expected to account for $15% of China's GDP by 2020, up from $5%–6%.
• The UK has an interest in these sectors, particularly in advanced materials science and low-carbon technology.

3. Systemic and Policy-Level Engagement

• Both experts stress the importance of systemic-level collaboration, moving beyond sector-specific initiatives.
• This includes policy frameworks, carbon accounting, resource management, and electricity market reform.
• Price reform and circular economy are highlighted as transformative issues that could have significant impact.

Key Challenges

1. Lack of Coherence and Funding

• The UK and EU have not prioritized low-carbon co-operation with China in terms of funding and resources.
• Strategic engagement is often under-resourced and fragmented, with no unified strategy at the Cabinet level.
• Departmental silos hinder effective collaboration, with DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) and BIS (Business, Innovation and Skills) being particularly weak in this regard.

2. IP Protection and Enforcement

• Intellectual property (IP) protection has improved in China, with 80% of foreign IP claims being approved.
• However, enforcement remains uneven, especially in western provinces, where the legal framework is less developed.
• Joint ventures and specific agreements with local governments are needed to ensure robust IP protection.

3. Co-ordination and Leadership

• The UK has lost its leadership position in low-carbon co-operation with China due to lack of co-ordination and declining strategic focus.
• EU-wide initiatives, such as the EU-China urbanisation project, lack real funding and implementation capacity.
• BIS is identified as the weakest link in the UK's co-operation framework.

Opportunities for Improvement

1. Strategic and Systemic Focus

• The UK should focus on systemic-level issues rather than just short-term projects.
• This includes policy alignment, market reforms, and climate security.

2. Enhanced Co-ordination

• A UK-China taskforce is recommended to pull resources together and ensure coherent engagement.
• Better co-ordination between UK departments (e.g., DECC, Foreign Office, DFID) is essential.

3. Learning from Other Countries

• Japan has made significant progress through its Top Runner Standards programme, which is being closely studied in China.
• France is active in building urbanisation and retrofitting projects.
• The UK should build on these models rather than trying to copy them.

4. Engagement with International Platforms

• The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a key platform for collaboration.
• The UK should increase its involvement in such forums, as seen in the Scandinavian countries, Canada, and Australia.

Conclusion

• Low-carbon co-operation with China is a strategic opportunity for the UK and EU.
• Success depends on clear policy alignment, systemic thinking, and effective resource allocation.
• Bilateral and multilateral co-ordination is crucial, as is engagement with local institutions and legal frameworks.
• A more strategic and unified approach is needed to maximize impact and secure China's support for global low-carbon goals.