@article{57631,
  keywords = {China Energy Group, Energy, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, International Energy Department, Low-Carbon Eco-City Development, CO2 emissions},
  author = {Nina Khanna and David Fridley and Lixuan Hong},
  title = {China{\textquoteright}s Pilot Low-carbon City Initiative: A Comparative Assessment of National Goals and Local Plans},
  abstract = {<p>In the past decade, China{\textquoteright}s unprecedented urbanization has paralleled a 250\% growth in primary energy demand and urban areas have emerged as the crux of energy and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions reduction in China. In recognition of cities{\textquoteright} importance in mitigating future energy and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions growth, the Chinese government launched a demonstration program of 5 low-carbon pilot provinces and 8 pilot cities in 2010 to promote low-carbon urban development. As one of the first national programs to promote low-carbon urban development, the recent plans and policies adopted by these 8 pilot low-carbon cities can shed light on if and how low-carbon cities can shape China{\textquoteright}s future energy and emission trajectories. This paper reviews the historical development and context for low-carbon urban development in China and then presents an ex-ante comparative assessment of the low-carbon development plans and supporting measures formulated for each of China{\textquoteright}s 8 pilot low-carbon cities. We find that while the 8 pilot cities have made progress in establishing low-carbon plans, key barriers such as a lack of explicit definition for low-carbon city, complexity and confusion resulting from several parallel programs, and insufficient supporting policies and market-based instruments may hinder urban development that is truly low carbon.</p>},
  year = {2014},
  booktitle = {Sustainable Cities and Society},
  journal = {Sustainable Cities and Society},
  series = {Sustainable Cities and Society},
  volume = {12},
  pages = {110{\textendash}121},
  month = {07/2014},
  institution = {Elsevier},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670714000262},
  doi = {10.1016/j.scs.2014.03.005},
}