China’s policy framework for carbon capture, utilization and storage: Review, analysis, and outlook

doi:10.1007/s11708-023-0862-z

Front. Energy

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (3) : 400-411 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0862-z

REVIEW ARTICLE

China’s policy framework for carbon capture, utilization and storage: Review, analysis, and outlook

Qiao MA¹(

), Shan WANG¹, Yan FU², Wenlong ZHOU³, Mingwei SHI², Xueting PENG², Haodong LV², Weichen ZHAO⁴, Xian ZHANG²

¹. National Engineering Laboratory for Reducing Emissions from Coal Combustion, Engineering Research Center of Environmental Thermal Technology of the Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Carbon Reduction and Resource Utilization, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
². The Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21, Beijing 100038, China
³. Center for Sustainable Development and Energy Policy Research, School of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
⁴. The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK

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Abstract

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is estimated to contribute substantial CO₂ emission reduction to carbon neutrality in China. There is yet a large gap between such enormous demand and the current capacity, and thus a sound enabling environment with sufficient policy support is imperative for CCUS development. This study reviewed 59 CCUS-related policy documents issued by the Chinese government as of July 2022, and found that a supporting policy framework for CCUS is taking embryonic form in China. More than ten departments of the central government have involved CCUS in their policies, of which the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and the Ministry of Ecological Environment (MEE) have given the greatest attention with different focuses. Specific policy terms are further analyzed following the method of content analysis and categorized into supply-, environment- and demand-type policies. The results indicate that supply-type policies are unbalanced in policy objectives, as policy terms on technology research and demonstration greatly outnumber those on other objectives, and the attention to weak links and industrial sectors is far from sufficient. Environment-type policies, especially legislations, standards, and incentives, are inadequate in pertinence and operability. Demand-type policies are absent in the current policy system but is essential to drive the demand for the CCUS technology in domestic and foreign markets. To meet the reduction demand of China’s carbon neutral goal, policies need to be tailored according to needs of each specific technology and implemented in an orderly manner with well-balanced use on multiple objectives.

Keywords carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) policy content analysis China

Corresponding Author(s): Qiao MA

Online First Date: 03 March 2023 Issue Date: 09 August 2023

Cite this article:

Qiao MA,Shan WANG,Yan FU, et al. China’s policy framework for carbon capture, utilization and storage: Review, analysis, and outlook[J]. Front. Energy, 2023, 17(3): 400-411.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-023-0862-z
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/Y2023/V17/I3/400

Policy types	Sub types	Explanation	Example
Supply	Technology research and development	To promote technology research or demonstration	Orderly promote construction of large-scale, full-process demonstration projects for carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage
	Platform construction and talent cultivation	To establish CCUS related institution or organization, cultivate or introduce talent people, and construct relevant disciplines	Establish CCUS entrepreneurial technology innovation strategic alliance, CCUS special committee, and other specialized institutions
	Potential and risk evaluation	To conduct survey or evaluation of storage potential, environmental risk, etc.	...conduct nationwide survey and evaluation of the geological CO₂ storage potential...; Organize the establishment of lists and project library of key CCUS demonstration projects...
	Technology corporation	To promote international cooperation	...promote scientific research cooperation and technological exchanges in renewable energy, energy storage, hydrogen energy, and carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage...
Environment	Legislation and standard	To establish and improve relevant law and standard system	Construct monitoring, verification and measurement systems for geological storage, and establish safety and environmental evaluation standards...
	Financial incentive	To offer subsidies or establish incentive policies for CCUS projects	Investigate and explore guidance and incentive mechanism that help promote CCUS experiment and demonstration, and implement the current tax support policies
	Development strategy and route plan	To formulate strategy or pathway for future development	Explore low-cost carbon dioxide capture, resource conversion and utilization, storage and other initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide
	Commercial model	To explore or establish commercial model for CCUS application and promotion	Establish coordination and cooperation mechanisms among different industries, and strengthen the matching and connection between carbon dioxide capture sites (suppliers) and storage sites (demanders)
	Public cognition	To promote public understanding of the CCUS technology	Attach importance to popularization and dissemination of environmental knowledge related to carbon capture, utilization and storage

Tab.1 Categorization of analysis units according to policy objectives

Fig.1 Number of policies issued in each year since 2006 (As policies issued in 2022 are only counted before August, the policy number of 2022 is not included.).

Fig.2 Policy focuses of the departments of the Chinese government (The numerical figure indicates the number of documents issued by the department. Some policies are issued jointly by multiple departments, in which case only the department that took the lead in developing the policy was counted.).

Fig.3 Proportions of policies with different objectives.

Fig.4 Analysis unit matrix of policy objectives and technical procedures (As some policy terms involved multiple technical links and are in different categories at the same time, the total is far more than the number of analysis units.).

Fig.5 Analysis unit matrix of policy objectives and involved industries (As some policy terms involved multiple industries and are in different categories at the same time, the total is far more than the number of analysis units.).

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