Research On European Union Policy Of Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction And Its Implications For China

The issue of climate change, mainly caused by the surge in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission, has become a great threat to the safety of human life and property. In recent years, China has paid more and more attention to climate issues, and actively taken lots of measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, there still are many constraints, such as the weak will of reduction, the unsuitable mode, the backward technology which severely restrict China's reduction work. European Union (EU) is recognized as the predecessor to advocate sustainable development worldwide and has made indelible contribution to global CO2 emission reduction. And its success offers invaluable revelation to China.EU carbon dioxide reduction policy is introduced and analyzed systematically with the method of Literature searching and Comparative study. Firstly, after the discussion of the background and the significance of this thesis, a systematic analysis of EU policy on CO2 emission reduction, including its background information, reduction targets, trading mechanism of carbon emission, tax policy on carbon, energy policy, transportation policy is conducted based on three analysis frameworks, which contain externality theory, government failure and market failure theory, as well as policy tool theory. Also the EU policy on CO2 emission reduction in the future is predicted in this paper. Secondly, valuable experience such as defining a clear-cut goal, differentiating quota on reduction, complying with the legislative procedures, combing different ways to reduce emission, developing low-carbon economy actively, taking an initiative to carry out international cooperation is obtained through the comparison of the advantages and the disadvantages of the EU policy. Finally, the ways to emission reduction suitable for China are proposed on the basis of EU experience in emission reduction. Specifically, the following measures are contained: vigorously promoting energy conservation and emission reduction, and actively advocating low-carbon economy; setting gradual reduction targets, distributing reasonable emission quotas; accelerating in straightening out energy prices, and making use of market forces to reduce emission; giving full play of non-governmental organizations and civil communities; proactively conducting international cooperation by relying on clean energy mechanism.