Coal and Climate Change

These flashcards cover significant vocabulary related to coal, climate change, and energy transitions discussed in the lecture notes.

Coal-fired plant

A power station that burns coal to generate electricity.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P)

An initiative launched by the G7 to accelerate the shift from coal to clean energy.

Carbon pricing

A method for reducing global warming emissions by assigning a cost to carbon emissions.

Energy capacity

The maximum output power a power plant can produce.

Baseload power

The minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time.

Renewables

Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar and wind.

Intermittent sources

Energy sources that are not always available, such as solar and wind energy.

Carbon credits

Permits that allow the holder to emit a certain amount of carbon; they can be bought and sold.

Clean energy

Energy produced with methods that do not pollute the environment.

1) What climate goals has China set?

China aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and peak carbon emissions before 2030. This includes increasing renewable energy use and reducing coal dependency.

2) How has coal use been changing over the last decade? What challenges does that pose to China’s climate goals?

Coal use in China has been declining gradually but remains a significant challenge due to continued reliance for energy, leading to higher carbon emissions and making it difficult to meet climate targets.

3) What challenge does costs pose in reducing coal and why is China’s carbon market not working?

Coal costs remain low, making it economically advantageous to continue use. Additionally, China's carbon market has structural issues that limit its effectiveness in reducing emissions.

4) What has happened to coal jobs in China over the last 10 years?

Coal jobs in China have significantly declined due to a combination of automation, environmental regulations, and a shift towards cleaner energy sources. This has raised concerns about economic stability in coal-dependent regions.

5) How many people work in the wind and solar industry?

As of recent estimates, over 1 million people are employed in the wind and solar industry in China, reflecting the country's investment in renewable energy sources.

6) What is the challenge to China phasing out coal? (The bottleneck they refer to in the article)

The challenge is the reliance on coal for energy and economic stability, which creates resistance to transitioning away from coal dependence. This dependence makes it difficult to implement policies that support a rapid shift to renewable energy without causing significant economic disruption.