Li Weiming and Qi Aihua,Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies,the DRC

Research Report No 151, 2013

Abstract:

The development of clean gas energy such as natural gas, shale gas, coalbed methane, coal gas, and gas hydrate will alleviate the tremendous pressure the country faces in energy security, environmental protection and reduction of pollutant emissions.

In addition, clean gas energy cultivates new points for economic growth and therefore should become an important strategic choice for China to achieve sustainable growth. It is necessary for the country to elevate the status of clean gas energy in the country’s energy strategy, speed up market-oriented reform in the energy sector, and set up and improve the market access mining rights management systems.

It should make it easier to get access to clean gas energy; reform the energy price formation mechanism; strengthen supervision over natural gas trunk pipelines; provide more support for technology R&D for shale gas, gas hydrate and carbon capture and storage; change and improve the country’s energy supply and consumption structure; and give priority support to sustainable development and ecological construction.