Analysis of Energy Base for Developing a Low Carbon Economy in Guangdong

On November 26, 2009, China announced to the world that China would reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40% to 45% compared with the level of 2005. This is "a voluntary action" taken by the Chinese government based on national conditions and was a major contribution to the global effort in tackling climate change. As a province with a large population, surging economy, and huge energy consumption, Guangdong has pioneered policy research and has run pilot projects, seeking to upgrade its industries and to explore an innovative path toward sustainable development and a low-carbon economy. Energy is a fundamental element of low-carbon development and is critical for building a low-carbon society. This paper analyzes the energy base and energy consumption patterns of Guangdong province, exploring its energy mix, self-supply ratio, energy intensity per unit GDP, energy consumption elasticity, and energy quotas for products and industries. The paper uses three low-carbon indicators — carbon productivity, energy consumption and carbon emission per capita, and energy intensity — to analyze and compare energy patterns in Guangdong and in China as a whole. Finally, the paper proposes energy demand trends along with a roadmap for low-carbon development for Guangdong. This paper can also serve as a reference for other provinces seeking low-carbon development in China.