Providing a new perspective on defining "zero-carbon parks" at this stage

Analysis of several existing definitions of zero-carbon parks

The publicly available standards for several "zero-carbon parks" show significant variations in their descriptions of the concept.

Let's first look at the group standard of the Shanghai Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Industry AssociationT/SEESA 010-2022Definition in the "Technical Specification for the Creation and Evaluation of Zero-Carbon Parks":

This is a qualitative and principled statement. The main problem with this definition is that it cannot distinguish between concepts of varying degrees, such as "low-carbon parks" and "near-zero-carbon parks." If we consider this, placing it within definitions of the other two concepts would also be faultless.

Let's look atT/CIECCPA 031—2023Definition in the "General Rules for the Evaluation of Zero-Carbon Parks":

This definition is based on the scoring system set in the standard, dividing"zero-carbon parks"into three levels: creation-type zero-carbon parks, demonstration zero-carbon parks, and leading zero-carbon parks. However, there is an internal contradiction. The definition includes"achieving a balance between total carbon emissions and absorption"but in the scoring standard, the weighting of carbon offsetting only accounts for2%and there are no quantitative or proportional requirements. So, can the so-called qualified scores"zero-carbon parks"achieve the definition's"balance between total carbon emissions and absorption"? If not, what is the significance of this definition?

There is another standard,DB1331/T 069-2023“Evaluation Standard for Zero-Carbon Parks in Xiong'an New Area, Part1: Public Building Parks", defines zero-carbon parks as follows:

Note that this standard specifically refers to parks whose main functions are office, medical, commercial, teaching, and exhibition (hotels), such as office (including administrative and business offices) parks, hospital parks, science and technology parks, education parks, and commercial parks.

This definition is very clear, requiring "annual operating carbon emissions not to exceed zero." "Operating carbon emissions" refers to "the sum of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the operation phase related to the park, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents." (Definition3.4)

In other words, this "zero-carbon park" is a temporary concept. After using some energy-saving and carbon reduction measures, unavoidable emissions (on an annual basis) still need to be fully offset by purchasing carbon credits to become a "zero-carbon park."

This concept is clearer but has several problems:

1.It is too radical and lacks universality. We know that the goal of the Paris Agreement is to achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of this century, and most developed countries have also set a target of2050to achieve carbon neutrality. China's goal is2060to achieve carbon neutrality. For larger parks, creating an absolute "zero-carbon park" at this stage may be too radical and idealistic. For most parks, the cost is high.

2.The evaluation method has loopholes. The standard6.3.2states:

"If the park meets the indicator evaluation ≥80points, and the relevant "Park Carbon Emission Calculation Report" is provided in accordance with the calculation method in the "Xiong'an New Area Park Carbon Emission Calculation Standard", and the total carbon emissions calculated in the report minus the carbon offset is less than or equal to zero, and the carbon offset ratio does not exceed20%of the benchmark park's carbon emissions, it can be identified as a zero-carbon park."

In other words, the previous year's emissions are calculated in the current year. First, it must be less than the benchmark park's emissions80%(exaggerated), and then it must be fully offset, plus the score80or above. After meeting these extremely stringent conditions, it can be rated as a "zero-carbon park." But how long is the validity period of this "zero-carbon park"? If carbon credits are not purchased for offsetting in the second year, should the certificate be revoked? There is no relevant provision.

Therefore, the problem with this rule is that the threshold for entry is too high, and once it is rated, there is a lack of subsequent supervision, which seems to become a once-and-for-all action.

 

Providing a new approach

What we need now is a standard with strong universality."zero-carbon parks"The threshold for entry cannot be too high, so that everyone has the motivation to create it. It cannot be too radical, demanding absolute"zero carbon"from the outset, but once the decision is made to create it, it must be sustainable, continuously meeting the relevant requirements, that is, it must obtain certification, and then it must be monitored and audited annually to ensure that it continuously meets the established zero-carbon targets. Therefore, the key points of this concept are as follows:

1.Carbon emissions must be clearly calculated. This is a basic requirement, and the carbon emission calculation must include categories1、2that is, direct emissions and indirect emissions from energy, and other indirect emissions are optional;

2.A carbon neutrality target must be set. This target cannot be too conservative; it must conform to the Paris Agreement1.5℃pathway (that is, there must be a long-term goal, achieving carbon neutrality no later than the middle of this century, as well as a short-term goal. The short-term target cannot be too low, and a minimum standard can be set; the annual emission reduction target proportion must not be lower than this minimum benchmark), and must be far higher than the national3060Requirements for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. For the rate of decline, please refer to the last few notes in this article;

3.These targets must be disclosed and updated at least every5year. After setting targets, they must be disclosed through public channels and updated regularly;

4.All technical carbon reduction methods must be exhausted to achieve the target. Only emissions that cannot be avoided can be offset using green electricity, green certificates, and carbon credits. (Carbon credits, etc., can be used to achieve annual targets);

Based on carbon reduction targets, only consider categories1categories2and categories1to categories6Considering all of them, zero-carbon parks can be divided intoⅠtype andⅡtype;

5.A certification process must be used to Confirm whether the above requirements have been met. Certificates can only be issued if the requirements are met;

6.A supervisory process must be used to Confirm annually whether the above requirements are continuously met. If not, the certificate must be suspended, and rectification must be carried out within a time limit. If rectification is not completed or the requirements are still not met after rectification, the certificate must be revoked.

 

New definition of "zero-carbon park"

Summarizing the above items, the new"zero-carbon parks"definition is as follows:

Parks that annually calculate greenhouse gas emissions, establish and disclose scientifically reasonable carbon reduction targets (which can be total amount targets or emission targets for unit economic indicators), and whose targets comply with the Paris Agreement1.5℃pathway requirements (annual reduction rate not less than9%，2050years before achieving carbon neutrality) can be certified as"zero-carbon parks"。

Parks that exhaust existing technical means (it can be judged whether the requirements are met by scoring method) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and that purchase carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions corresponding to the targets that have not yet been achieved can maintain"zero-carbon parks"certification certificates. Supervise at least once a year. If the targets are not met, the"zero-carbon parks"certification certificate will be revoked.

 

Regarding the achievement of1.5℃ target, the required carbon emission reduction rate

 

UNEP's2019Annual Emissions Gap Report: Between2020-2030years, global carbon emissions need to be reduced by7.6%。
UNEP's2023Annual Emissions Gap Report: By2030year, global projected greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by42%in order to follow the path of warming by1.5℃From2023year, considering the remaining7years, a certain rate of decline must be maintained to achieve this goal, but the specific annual decline rate is not specified.
Relevant UN analysis: Global carbon dioxide emissions in2030year must be reduced compared to2019year by43%From2019-2030years, this11year period needs to achieve this goal, and the average annual decline rate is not specified, but overall, a high emission reduction speed needs to be maintained.
Guterres' speech: From2024-2030years, global greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by9%in order to make1.5degrees Celsius limit still achievable.