Regresar

Hydropower's contribution to the environmental integrity of the embryonic Chinese carbon market

Abstract:

This paper discusses how hydropower can contribute to the environmental integrity of the Chinese carbon market and support low carbon initiatives and policies in China. It also explores the scientific research that questions the carbon neutrality of hydropower due to the release of notable quantities of greenhouse gases through the creation and operation of a hydroelectric reservoir. The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of how current carbon market mechanisms and management should be maintained, strengthened and/or enhanced in order to optimise the provincial carbon markets of 2014. Based on the literature review and discussion, the authors provide nine principle recommendations. Such recommendations include a verification of the data provided regarding hydropower installations and watersheds through various means such as GIS, aerial photography and the cross-referencing of records; and the use of the Strategic Environmental Assessment in addition to the already prescribed Environmental Impact Assessment and guidelines for small hydropower Should these recommendations be followed it would result in more robust emission trading policies and practices within the hydropower sector which could then be used as a template for other carbon reduction technologies within the Chinese power industry.