低碳发展，就是一种以低耗能、低污染、低排放为特征的可持续发展模式，对经济和社会的可持续发展具有重要意义。它要求推进能源革命，优化能源生产消费结构，落实节能优先方针，发展新能源和可再生能源，构建清洁低碳、安全高效的能源体系，不断降低二氧化碳等温室气体排放强度。
中共十八大以来，中国坚持当前和长远兼顾、减缓和适应全面推进，探索低碳发展道路，提高气候变化应对能力，树立负责任大国形象。一是控制温室气体排放，优化能源结构，节约能源和提高能效，增加森林、草原、湿地、海洋碳汇，控制能源、工业、农牧业等领域二氧化碳、甲烷、氢氟碳化物、全氟化碳、六氟化硫等温室气体排放。二是提高适应能力，特别是应对极端天气事件的能力，加强监测、预警和预防，提高农业、林业、水资源等重点领域和生态脆弱地区适应气候变化水平。三是推动低碳发展试点，推进省区、城市、城镇、产业园区、社区试点，努力建设低碳社会。四是参与气候变化国际谈判，坚持共同但有区别的责任原则、公平原则、各自能力原则，建设性地参与应对气候变化国际谈判，推动建立公平合理的全球应对气候变化格局。
“十四五”时期，中国生态文明建设进入了以降碳为重点战略方向、推动减污降碳协同增效、促进经济社会发展全面绿色转型、实现生态环境质量改善由量变到质变的关键时期。中国将坚定不移走生态优先、绿色低碳的高质量发展道路，坚持不懈推动绿色低碳发展。中国力争2030年前实现碳达峰，2060年前实现碳中和，是以习近平同志为核心的中共中央经过深思熟虑作出的重大战略决策，也是中国向世界作出的庄严承诺。
Low-Carbon Development
Low-carbon development is a model of sustainable growth featuring low energy
consumption, low pollution and low emission. Pursuing low-carbon development
means to carry out an energy revolution, improve the structure of energy
production and consumption, implement a policy that prioritizes energy
conservation, develop new energy and renewable energy, build an energy system
that is clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient, and keep reducing emissions of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas.
Since 2012, China has looked out for both current and long-term needs, advanced
both mitigation and adaptation, and explored a path of low-carbon development
while also improving its capability to address climate change as a responsible
major country.
First, it has endeavored to control greenhouse gas emission by the fields of
energy, industry, agriculture and animal husbandry, improve energy mix, promote
conservation and efficient use of energy, and enhance carbon sink of forests,
grasslands, wetlands and the sea.
Second, it has increased its capacity to respond to climate change, especially
extreme weather. Through reinforced monitoring, early warning and prevention,
the capacity against climate change has been raised in agriculture, forestry,
water resource and other key fields and ecologically vulnerable regions.
Third, it has carried out pilot projects of low-carbon development, in
different provinces, autonomous regions, cities and towns, industrial parks and
communities, with the goal of building a low-carbon society.
Fourth, it has participated in international talks on climate change in
accordance with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities,
equity and respective capabilities of all countries, and played a constructive
role in promoting a fair, rational global framework to address climate change.
The 14th Five-year Plan period (2021-2025) is key for China to build an
eco-civilization. During this period, the focus will be on reducing pollution
and carbon dioxide emissions along with comprehensive transformation toward
green economic and social development, so that the eco-environment will see
quantitative changes followed by qualitative changes.
China will prioritize eco-environmental conservation and pursue green,
low-carbon and high-quality development. It will strive to peak carbon dioxide
emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. This is a
strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the
core, and also a serious promise made by China to the rest of the world.
