China is also the largest energy-consuming and carbon dioxide (CO2)-emitting country in the world, accounting for 26% of the world’s total energy use (BP, 2021) and 33% of the global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020 (IEA, 2021a). As such, China will play a critical role in achieving the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (°C), preferably 1.5°C, by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels.
Building on the foundation of the previous China Energy Outlook 2020 (Zhou et al., 2020), Chapter 1 of this China Energy Outlook 2022 first looks into the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on China’s economy, energy demand, and industrial production. Then the chapter discusses the key drivers of China’s energy and emissions including population, urbanization, and production that generates the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Third, this chapter provides data and information on the current trends in China’s energy use and emissions, with a focus on the end-use sectors: buildings, transport, industry, and power. Lastly, China’s energy supply including imports and exports of energy are highlighted.