At present, the once-in-a-century international financial crisis has pushed "low-carbon economy" from a concept and slogan to the foreground, and it has become the consensus of all walks of life to develop low-carbon technologies, choose low-carbon lifestyles and conduct low-carbon consumption. Recently, Dr. Wang, deputy director of the Research Bureau of the People's Bank of China, accepted an exclusive interview with Theoretical Frontier and expressed his views on actively integrating into the low-carbon wave and accelerating green financial innovation. She believes that it is necessary for China to vigorously develop low-carbon finance and green finance, not only to participate in the international carbon financial market, but also to gain broad development opportunities; At the same time, it can also effectively promote the transformation of domestic economic growth mode by developing the domestic emission trading market.
Conceptually: advocate low-carbon life and green economy.
Reporter: At present, the words "low carbon" and "green" are widely spread and used. Can you explain their exact meaning to us?
Wang: Actually, strictly speaking, "low carbon" and "green" are not the same concept.
First of all, point to different. "Low carbon" is a concept related to climate change. Assuming that the climate is warming, the result of climate warming is the crisis of human existence, such as the increase of extreme weather, the rise of sea level, the disappearance of islands, the shortage of food and drinking water, and the extinction of species. The reason of climate warming is that human activities artificially increase greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are mainly composed of six gases, of which CO2 is the main component. The solution to climate warming is low carbon. "Green" is a concept related to environmental protection. Assuming that the living environment of human beings is deteriorating day by day, there are a lot of pollutants such as waste gas, waste water and waste residue, which are mainly caused by large-scale industrialization, extensive growth mode and bad living habits, the solution is to establish green consciousness, strengthen environmental protection, especially the protection of atmosphere, rivers, oceans, green vegetation and animal resources, and create a livable environment.
Secondly, the scope of influence is different. The impact of climate warming is global. For example, a large amount of CO2 emission from a province or a country has no obvious influence on the climate in this area, but it accumulates a lot. However, the impact of environmental degradation is regional. For example, there are many thermal power plants in a certain area, and the problem of acid rain is serious, while there may be no harm from acid rain in distant areas.
In addition, the correlation with economic growth is different. There is a positive correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and economic development, because the main industries that emit greenhouse gases are the basis or leading industries of economic development in various countries, such as electricity, steel, chemicals, transportation, real estate and so on. Therefore, under the existing production mode, the faster the economic development, the more greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is no positive correlation between environmental deterioration and economic development. As long as the concept and mechanism of environmental protection are well established, economic development and environmental friendliness can be achieved simultaneously.
Finally, the governance methods are different. The governance of greenhouse gas emissions is a balance, that is, a balance between emission reduction and economic growth. Economic development cannot be sacrificed for emission reduction, especially in developing countries. It is not an easy choice for any country to blindly pursue high growth and ignore the common interests of mankind. It is not easy for any country to choose between low carbon and economic development. It is forbidden to treat pollutants, which is clearly stipulated in the laws of various countries. Reporter: So, where is the blending of these two concepts in practical application?
Wang: In a practical sense, "low carbon" and "green" are both new development models.
First, "low carbon" and "green" are closely related. First of all, climate is an important element of the environment. Adverse climate changes such as snowstorms, tsunamis and hurricanes will worsen the living environment. Secondly, changes in climate and environment are closely related to industrialization and urbanization. Industrialization leads to a large number of greenhouse gases and pollutants, which destroys the balance and circulation of nature. Such as thermal power generation, a large number of emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, the former is a greenhouse gas, the latter forms acid rain. "Low-carbon economy" is an economic development model that reduces the consumption of high-carbon energy such as coal and oil as much as possible and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. "Green economy" is the remaining GDP after deducting the loss value of natural resources and the loss value of environmental pollution.
Second, advocating "low carbon" and "green" is a concrete manifestation of changing the mode of economic growth. Both "low-carbon economy" and "green economy" advocate saving resources and protecting the environment; They all advocate sustainable development as the goal and the harmonious development between man and nature. It is a new concept and way of economic development. Different provinces in China bear different costs and pressures due to different economic structures and growth modes. Through green and low-carbon economic development policies, we can guide the adjustment of economic structure and the transformation of energy consumption patterns.
Thirdly, advocating "low carbon" and "green" economy is the concrete embodiment of building a "two-oriented society". From the perspective of resource conservation, advocating "low carbon" and "green" means improving energy efficiency, and reducing GDP energy consumption can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From the perspective of "environmental friendliness", advocating low-carbon life means emphasizing the protection of the living environment and cherishing the blue sky, green mountains and green waters. For example, afforestation can not only enhance the ability of forest to absorb carbon dioxide, but also transform the surface structure and prevent soil erosion.
Action: Develop low-carbon finance and green finance.
Reporter: For China, what rare opportunities does the current international market environment provide for us to vigorously develop low-carbon finance and green finance?
Wang: First of all, the global carbon trading market will replace oil as the largest market in the world. According to statistics, the global carbon trading volume and trading volume in 2005 were 765.438 billion tons and 654.38 billion dollars respectively. By 2008, it will increase by 4865438+ 1 100 million dollars and126.35 billion dollars respectively, with an average annual growth rate of 89.2% and 126.6% respectively. The World Bank reports that the global carbon trading market will reach $654,380+050 billion in 20 12, which is expected to become the largest market in the world.
Carbon trading market can be divided into quota trading market and voluntary trading market. The quota trading market provides a carbon trading platform for countries or enterprises with greenhouse gas emission caps to achieve emission reduction targets; On the other hand, the voluntary trading market is a voluntary carbon trading from other goals (such as corporate social responsibility, brand building, social benefits, etc.). ) to achieve its goal. Quota carbon trading is divided into two categories, one is quota-based trading. Under the cap-and-trade system, the buyer purchases emission reduction quotas formulated, allocated (or auctioned) by the managers, such as the allocated quantity units and emission quotas under the Kyoto Protocol; Under the EU emissions trading system; Second, project-based transactions. Buyers buy emission reductions from projects that can prove to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The most typical such transactions are CERs and ERUs generated under the clean development mechanism and joint implementation mechanism respectively. The voluntary emission reduction trading market existed long before the establishment of the compulsory emission reduction market, which was mainly used for enterprise marketing, corporate social responsibility, brand building and so on. At present, although it accounts for a small proportion in carbon trading, it has great potential. Voluntary market is divided into carbon sink standard and carbon-free standard transaction. In recent years, many non-governmental organizations have developed many voluntary carbon trading products from the perspective of environmental protection and climate change, such as VIVO plan, which mainly focuses on afforestation and environmental protection projects in developing countries. Wu Xiaoqing, Vice Minister of Environmental Protection: The low-carbon economy will lead China to develop a low-carbon economy in the future and determine a new round of national competitiveness. Reporter: The China Municipal Government has recently set the action target of controlling greenhouse gas emissions, which mentioned "accelerating the construction of low-carbon industries, buildings and transportation systems" and "accelerating the formation of low-carbon lifestyles and consumption patterns", which aroused widespread concern. Please talk about what role "low carbon" can play in dealing with climate change. Wu Xiaoqing: Humans are constantly aware of the environmental problems caused by the massive consumption of fossil energy. It is also an indisputable fact that the increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has brought about global climate change. It has become the consensus of all countries in the world to deal with climate change by improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. In this context, a series of new concepts and policies such as "low-carbon economy" and "low-carbon development" have also emerged. Now low-carbon economy has been regarded as the only way to deal with climate change, which is not only the direction of economic transformation in developed countries, but also the road of sustainable development that developing countries should take. Reporter: At last year's "two sessions", you submitted the proposal of "low-carbon economic development" for the first time, pointing out that whether China can walk in the forefront of world development in the next few decades depends largely on its ability to cope with the adjustment of low-carbon economic development. What action should we take as soon as possible in this regard? Wu Xiaoqing: There are indications that the low-carbon era has arrived. In the new round of national competitiveness competition with low-carbon technologies and products as the core, whoever takes the first step will lead the world economic development trend and become the biggest winner in the international market. As the largest developing country and carbon emitter, China's choice not only determines its own core competitiveness and development prospects in the future, but also determines the future of the world. Our goal has been put forward, and this is China's commitment to the world. This goal is difficult to achieve and needs the efforts of all parties. China is in the process of accelerating industrialization and urbanization, and the consumption of resources, especially energy and mineral resources, still has great room for growth. The contradiction between resource supply and economic development demand will become more and more prominent, and the pressure of environmental protection and coping with global climate change will become greater and greater. To achieve the goal of social and economic development and solve the contradiction between environment and development, taking the low-carbon economic road is the best choice, which can not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also promote environmental protection and improve people's living environment. When I say "the ability to cope with the development and adjustment of low-carbon economy", I should include four aspects, namely, the development and supporting ability of low-carbon technology, perfect standards and norms for low-carbon development, preparation of relevant systems to adapt to the development of low-carbon economy, and a sound carbon emission intensity evaluation system. Judging from the current national conditions, we are deficient in four aspects. To develop low-carbon economy, we must adjust the current development mode and strengthen the capacity building in these four aspects. Doing a good job at hand and focusing on high-end China can only develop its own low-carbon economy. Reporter: Development is the last word, and maintaining steady and rapid economic development is always the first. Under this premise, where to start developing a low-carbon economy? Wu Xiaoqing: Some people put forward the viewpoint of "doing well at hand and focusing on high-end", which I think vividly expresses the realistic demand of developing low-carbon economy in China. There is no ready-made model in the world at present. Therefore, on the one hand, we should learn from foreign experience, on the other hand, we should explore the development path of low-carbon economy with China characteristics from the national conditions and development stages. I think we should focus on the following aspects: on the basis of scientific research, establish and improve the "carbon footprint" label and product certification system, advocate low-carbon consumption mode, and promote enterprises to accelerate the research and development of low-carbon products; By reforming the formation mechanism of energy price, a price system reflecting the relationship between market supply and demand, resource scarcity and environmental damage cost is constructed; Reform the resource tax system and include carbon tax in the scope of environmental tax to partially reflect the external costs such as climate change caused by the production and use of traditional fossil energy. The collection method can refer to the local pollutant taxation method.