Transition to low carbon energy policies in China—from the Five-Year Plan perspective

Energy policy plays a critical role not only in the energy development, but also in the social and environmental aspects of a nation. Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development is one of the most important government plans, which documents the national strategy during that period. This study presents a critical review of 12 Five-Year Plans that have been released by the Chinese central government in last 58 years. In particular, the recently released Twelfth Five-Year Plan is reviewed. The results clearly show a pattern of increasingly level of attention of Chinese government to energy efficiency improvement, air pollutant emission reduction, new and renewable energy development, carbon dioxide emission and climate change. ► Critical review of the energy related contents in the 12 Five-Year Plans. ► Energy policy of China is focusing on energy efficiency, new and renewable energy. ► China is improving the capability of dealing with CO 2 emission and climate change. ► China is on transition to low carbon energy policies for a sustainable development.