tàn pái fàng: 碳排放 - Carbon Emissions

• Keywords: carbon emissions in Chinese, tan pai fang, 碳排放 meaning, China climate change, carbon neutrality China, tanzhonghe, tandafeng, reduce emissions Chinese, environmental policy China, learning Chinese for environment
• Summary: Learn the crucial modern Chinese term 碳排放 (tàn pái fàng), which directly translates to “carbon emissions.” This entry breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in China's ambitious environmental policies, and practical usage. Understand how this term is central to China's goals for “carbon peak” (碳达峰) and “carbon neutrality” (碳中和), and see how it's used in government, business, and everyday conversations about creating a sustainable future.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tàn pái fàng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced/Technical)
• Concise Definition: The release of carbon, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere.
• In a Nutshell: 碳排放 (tàn pái fàng) is the standard, technical term for “carbon emissions” in Chinese. It's a direct and unambiguous word used in scientific, political, and economic contexts. Think of it exactly like its English counterpart: it refers to the greenhouse gases released from burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and other human activities that contribute to climate change.

• 碳 (tàn): This character means “carbon.” It is composed of the radical 石 (shí), meaning “stone,” and the character 炭 (tàn), which means “charcoal.” This combination beautifully illustrates the concept: a stone-like or elemental form of charcoal.
• 排 (pái): This character means “to discharge” or “to emit.” It's made of the “hand” radical 扌(shǒu) and 非 (fēi), which can act as a phonetic component but also originally meant “to oppose” or “push against.” Together, it suggests the action of pushing something out.
• 放 (fàng): This character means “to release” or “to let go.” It's a very common character seen in words like “relax” (放心 fàngxīn) or “vacation” (放假 fàngjià).

When combined, 排 (pái) and 放 (fàng) form the verb 排放 (páifàng), meaning “to emit” or “to discharge.” Adding 碳 (tàn) at the front specifies exactly what is being emitted. So, 碳排放 literally means “carbon emit-release.”

The term 碳排放 is a modern one, but its significance in contemporary China is immense. For decades, China's economic miracle was powered by heavy industry and manufacturing, leading to it becoming the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide. Consequently, 碳排放 has become a central topic in the nation's strategy for the 21st century. Unlike in some Western countries where the climate change discourse is often driven by grassroots movements and individual responsibility, the conversation around 碳排放 in China is predominantly top-down and state-driven. It's framed as a matter of national strategy, technological innovation, and global leadership. The government has set ambitious national goals known as “双碳” (shuāng tàn), or the “Dual Carbon” goals:

1. **碳达峰 (tàn dá fēng) - Carbon Peak:** To have CO2 emissions reach their peak before 2030.
2. **碳中和 (tàn zhōng hé) - Carbon Neutrality:** To achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2060.

These goals dictate policy across all sectors of the economy, from energy production to vehicle manufacturing. Therefore, understanding 碳排放 is not just about learning a vocabulary word; it's about understanding a core pillar of China's modern development philosophy and its vision for the future.

The term 碳排放 is used in formal and semi-formal contexts. It's not typically a word you'd use casually with friends unless you're specifically discussing the news or environmental topics.

• In Government and News: This is the most common context. News reports, government announcements, and policy documents are filled with this term when discussing climate change, energy policy, and international agreements.
• In Business: Companies, especially in the manufacturing and energy sectors, use this term in their annual reports, corporate social responsibility (CSR) statements, and marketing to show they are compliant with regulations and environmentally conscious. They talk about “减少碳排放” (jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng - reducing carbon emissions).
• In Academia and Science: It is the standard scientific term used in research papers, lectures, and textbooks related to environmental science and climate studies.
• In Daily Life (Indirectly): While people may not use the full term 碳排放 frequently, the related concept of “低碳生活” (dī tàn shēnghuó - low-carbon lifestyle) is very common. This refers to everyday actions to reduce one's personal carbon footprint, like using public transport, recycling, and saving electricity.

• Example 1:
  • 中国承诺在2030年前实现碳排放达峰。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó chéngnuò zài èr líng sān líng nián qián shíxiàn tàn páifàng dá fēng.
  • English: China has pledged to achieve peak carbon emissions before 2030.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of how the term is used in a formal, policy-related context. It directly references one of China's key national goals.
• Example 2:
  • 这家工厂必须安装新技术来减少碳排放。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngchǎng bìxū ānzhuāng xīn jìshù lái jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng.
  • English: This factory must install new technology to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the term used in a business or regulatory context, highlighting the need for action.
• Example 3:
  • 全球变暖的主要原因是温室气体的碳排放。
  • Pinyin: Quánqiú biànnuǎn de zhǔyào yuányīn shì wēnshì qìtǐ de tàn páifàng.
  • English: The main cause of global warming is the carbon emissions from greenhouse gases.
  • Analysis: A scientific and educational sentence that explains the direct consequence of 碳排放.
• Example 4:
  • 发展电动汽车是降低交通领域碳排放的重要方法。
  • Pinyin: Fāzhǎn diàndòng qìchē shì jiàngdī jiāotōng lǐngyù tàn páifàng de zhòngyào fāngfǎ.
  • English: Developing electric vehicles is an important method for lowering carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 碳排放 to a specific industry and a modern solution.
• Example 5:
  • 每个人的生活方式都会影响总体的碳排放量。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén de shēnghuó fāngshì dōu huì yǐngxiǎng zǒngtǐ de tàn páifàng liàng.
  • English: Every person's lifestyle will affect the total amount of carbon emissions.
  • Analysis: This connects the large-scale concept to individual responsibility, linking it to the idea of a “low-carbon lifestyle.”
• Example 6:
  • 我们需要一个计算公司碳排放的标准。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yí ge jìsuàn gōngsī tàn páifàng de biāozhǔn.
  • English: We need a standard for calculating a company's carbon emissions.
  • Analysis: Highlights the technical and quantifiable nature of the term in a business or accounting context.
• Example 7:
  • 国际社会正在合作应对碳排放问题。
  • Pinyin: Guójì shèhuì zhèngzài hézuò yìngduì tàn páifàng wèntí.
  • English: The international community is cooperating to deal with the problem of carbon emissions.
  • Analysis: Shows the term used in the context of international relations and diplomacy.
• Example 8:
  • 从煤炭转向可再生能源可以显著减少碳排放。
  • Pinyin: Cóng méitàn zhuǎnxiàng kězàishēng néngyuán kěyǐ xiǎnzhù jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng.
  • English: Shifting from coal to renewable energy can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
  • Analysis: A sentence focused on solutions, particularly in the critical energy sector.
• Example 9:
  • 报告分析了不同国家的人均碳排放。
  • Pinyin: Bàogào fēnxīle bùtóng guójiā de rénjūn tàn páifàng.
  • English: The report analyzed the per capita carbon emissions of different countries.
  • Analysis: Introduces the related concept “人均” (rénjūn), or per capita, which is often used in discussions about fairness and responsibility in emissions.
• Example 10:
  • 为了实现碳中和，我们不仅要减少碳排放，还要增加碳吸收。
  • Pinyin: Wèile shíxiàn tàn zhōng hé, wǒmen bùjǐn yào jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng, hái yào zēngjiā tàn xīshōu.
  • English: To achieve carbon neutrality, we must not only reduce carbon emissions but also increase carbon absorption.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides nuance by contrasting emission reduction with carbon sinks (absorption), a key part of the “carbon neutrality” concept.

• `碳排放` (tàn páifàng) vs. `污染` (wūrǎn): A common mistake for learners is to use 碳排放 as a general word for all pollution.
  • `碳排放` specifically refers to carbon emissions (like CO2), which are invisible and odorless but cause climate change.
  • `污染` (wūrǎn) is the general term for “pollution.” This includes things you can see and smell, like smog (雾霾 wùmái), water pollution (水污染 shuǐ wūrǎn), and trash (垃圾 lājī).
  • Incorrect: 这个河有很多碳排放。(This river has a lot of carbon emissions.)
  • Correct: 这个河有很多污染。(This river has a lot of pollution.)
• It's a Noun, Not a Verb: 碳排放 is a noun (“emissions”). The action of emitting is just 排放 (páifàng).
  • Incorrect: 我们要碳排放少一点。(We want to carbon emit less.)
  • Correct: 我们要减少碳排放。(We want to reduce carbon emissions.)
  • Correct: 工厂不应该排放那么多废气。(Factories shouldn't emit so much waste gas.)

• 碳中和 (tàn zhōng hé) - Carbon Neutrality. The goal of achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
• 碳达峰 (tàn dá fēng) - Carbon Peak. A key policy goal for emissions to reach their highest point before beginning a steady decline.
• 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà) - Climate Change. The broader global phenomenon that carbon emissions are the primary driver of.
• 低碳 (dī tàn) - Low-Carbon. A common adjective used in phrases like “low-carbon economy” (低碳经济) or “low-carbon lifestyle” (低碳生活).
• 温室气体 (wēnshì qìtǐ) - Greenhouse Gas. The scientific category of gases, including CO2 and methane, that cause the greenhouse effect.
• 排放 (páifàng) - To Emit / Emission. The verb component of 碳排放, which can be used on its own or with other nouns (e.g., 废水排放 - wastewater discharge).
• 环境保护 (huánjìng bǎohù) - Environmental Protection. The broader field and government priority that includes emission control.
• 可持续发展 (kěchíxù fāzhǎn) - Sustainable Development. The overarching policy framework aiming to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
• 化石燃料 (huàshí ránliào) - Fossil Fuels. The primary source of carbon emissions, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
• 新能源 (xīn néngyuán) - New Energy. Refers to renewable and alternative energy sources like solar and wind, which are key to reducing 碳排放.