• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Wang Tao"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Carnegie China"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie China",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "East Asia",
    "China"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Climate Change"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media
Carnegie China

Combating Climate Change: Challenges Facing Future Targets

While Beijing has made some progress in combating air pollution, the problem lies in the country’s development model as China adjusts its emission control per unit of GDP growth.

Link Copied
By Wang Tao
Published on Nov 5, 2013

Source: CCTV News

Carnegie–Tsinghua’s Wang Tao spoke with CCTV’s China 24 about his views on China’s new carbon emission goals. Wang commented that China’s new carbon emission targets differed from the initial ones set in 2005. The new goals are divided into two sub-targets: the reduction of carbon intensity by 17 percent and the increase renewable targets of non-fossil energy by 11.4 percent within a five year period.

Wang further explained how these targets play a role in China’s overall development plan and use of new green technology. He questioned the seemingly negligible influence these targets have on Beijing’s very visible smog problem. Wang stated that while progress has been made, the problem lies in the development model as China adjusts its emission control per unit of GDP growth. Consequently, as China’s GDP increases the amount of pollution allotment increases as well. The key to solving this issue is to strengthen the current model in order to prevent the pollution from increasing as GDP continues to rise. 

This interview was originally aired on CCTV.

About the Author

Wang Tao

Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy

Wang Tao was a nonresident scholar in the Energy and Climate Program based at the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy.

    Recent Work

  • Article
    Xi’s Global Leadership Ambitions in the Trump Era

      Wang Tao

  • In The Media
    How the Paris Conference Is Driving China’s Gas and Oil Reforms

      Wang Tao, Yang Yifang

Wang Tao
Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy
Wang Tao
Climate ChangeEast AsiaChina

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • Trump walking toward Xi, both with arms extended to shake hands
    Commentary
    Emissary
    The U.S. and China Need an AI Hotline. Here’s How to Build It.

    It should address the shortcomings of previous crisis communication efforts and adapt to the demands of frontier AI.

      • Lucy Luo

      Lucy Luo

  • Research
    China’s Construction of Police Training Facilities in Global South Likely to Expand Global Security Leadership

    China’s police training infrastructure construction projects provide benefits to recipient countries, promote China’s image as a major global security provider, and are likely to reinforce alignment between Beijing’s security priorities and those of countries in the Global South.

      • Sheena Chestnut Greitens
      • +2

      Cameron Waltz, Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Kim Nguyen, …

  • Two men sitting on a stage and speaking
    Commentary
    Emissary
    What Would Need to Happen to Slow AI Development?

    AI capabilities are moving fast. Most institutions—including governments—can’t keep up.

      • Anton Leicht

      Anton Leicht, Scott Singer

  • circles of chairs in a large, formal room
    Commentary
    Emissary
    The UN Security Council Is Deadlocked on Climate. New Members Have a Path Forward.

    They face an uphill climb, but they could draw on a strategy that other diplomats have used in the past.

      • Shana Tabak headshot
      • Alejandro Rodriguez

      Shana Tabak, Alejandro Martin Rodriguez

  • Photo of black smoke rising from an Iranian oil facility after an airstrike.
    Article
    The Iran War’s Climate, Environmental, and Human Security Fallout

    Understanding the climatic pain points is necessary for policymakers hoping to minimize the war’s negative environmental consequences.

      • Alejandro Rodriguez
      • Joy Arkeh
      • Sarah Yerkes

      Alejandro Martin Rodriguez, Joy Arkeh, Sarah Yerkes

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.