Can China Reduce CO<SUB>2</SUB> Emissions from Cars?

Abstract

As the world faces increasingly disparate challenges, science is subjected to increasingly vehement demands from a society calling for transparency, openness and public participation in science policy. Science is going through an evolutionary processperhaps the most painful process it has ever encountered.Research on the interfaces between science and society is a burgeoning area. A new conception of knowledge now appears to be emerging, based on the awareness of complexity, uncertainty and a plurality of legitimate perspectives and interests. Democracy is extending into the previously quite exclusive scientific realm, and science must now submit to public scrutiny and participation in the governance of knowledge. This book provides much-needed reflections on the methods and tools for knowledge quality assurance, particularly on its inputs to extended policy and decision-making processes.Science and policy interfaces are dynamic processes needing to permanently redefine themselves and their roles. This book contributes to the enrichment and deepening of our understanding of these important new trends in the social relations of science, which are fundamental to our understanding of the prospects for further progress.The book will be essential reading for scientists, policy-makers, managers and the public. order online and save 10%China's car and truck market is growing at a dramatic pace. In 2004 alone, some 5,028,808 vehicles were sold in China. Of these nearly half were cars, virtually all locally produced. This represents a 27% increase over 2003; however, it follows growth rates of 24% and 36% in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The environmental implications-particularly in terms of CO 2 emissions-of this rapid growth in motorisation and of China's future potential scale as a car market (it is already the third largest car market) have been widely discussed in environmental and policy circles.This paper considers two technologies-diesel and petrol-electric hybrid-and assesses the CO 2 reductions that could be achieved by using these under a number of different scenarios. The paper takes current Chinese policies into account and considers these issues in the context of EU agreed limits (140 g/km) and proposed limits (120 g/km). The paper draws comparisons with the Japanese and Korean minicar strategies and assesses possible benefits for China in adopting a similar strategy.