By identifying the main areas of low carbon consumption in the future, the report studies the structural changes in consumption in China and its influencing factors. Combined with China’s medium- and long-term development goals, the report predicts what low carbon consumption might be like in 2030 and 2050 and how consumer preference would change over time. It also analyzes what the roles the government, media, enterprises, think tanks, schools can play in intervening consumer choices via communications, before it proposes effective communication mechanisms for direct and indirect intervention, as well as how they can help implement low carbon development policies. The report hopes to make a positive impact on China’s consumption structure, enterprise supplies, public awareness, and behavior change, and thus help form a low carbon society in the long run.

The research was completed by the National Center for Climate Change Strategy Research and International Cooperation, with support from Energy Foundation China.