China has pushed ahead with all-round carbon emission reduction to promote comprehensive
green transition of economic and social development, not only carrying out major reforms in
key industries, but seeking green-oriented changes to the trivial details of people’s life.
Carbon emission reduction, as many people know, is more often than not considered a task of
such industries as energy, transportation, and manufacturing. China, while cutting carbon
emissions in these industries with major energy consumers and major carbon emitters, is also
paying attention to greening the service sector that is more closely related to people’s
everyday life.
A few days ago, a friend of mine who often goes to the theater told me that paperless e-tickets
have become more widely seen in recent years.
At first, my friend wasn’t used to e-tickets as he considered elaborately designed and
beautifully printed tickets collectable. Later, however, he gradually found e-tickets more
convenient.
“Printing paper tickets means energy consumption. So we are actually doing our part for
carbon emission reduction,” he said.
Data from a ticketing platform show that it has sold 23 million e-tickets in the past three
years, which are equivalent to cutting carbon emissions by about 1,400 tons and electricity
consumption by about 1.4 million kWh.
China has seen results in reducing carbon emissions in the service sector, a good example of
which is the ecological benefits brought by the 23 million e-tickets.
From a broader perspective, since the service industry concerns numerous consumers, every
little change in their consumption link, when accumulated, will have an effect that cannot be
ignored.
Besides, promoting the reduction of carbon emissions at small areas of the service sector is
less difficult. While the renovation and upgrading of factories requires a lot of manpower,
materials and funds, carbon emission reduction in the service sector has lower requirements
of equipment upgrading and process reengineering and relies more on companies’ operational
concepts.
The efforts to promote carbon emission reduction in the service sector have exerted a strong
influence on the Chinese society. As the concept of green development prevails, seeking low-
carbon approaches has gradually become a conscious decision of service providers.
At the same time, the little changes in the service sector are changing consumer psychology in
China and enabling consumers to foster a better environment for green development together
with service providers.
In recent years, China has taken plenty of measures to conserve energy and reduce carbon
emissions, including calling on people to set air conditioners at a higher temperature in
summer and not to ask for disposable tableware when ordering takeout food online, as well as
encouraging the application of e-bills and waste recycling.
It is believed that the country will surely witness more fruits in carbon emission reduction as
long as it maintains the current momentum.
