COP28: Renewable energy targets in focus
On December 4, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered a new week, with new outcomes negotiated over the past few days. It is worth mentioning that as one of the first parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, China has been actively participating in global governance on climate change for a long time, and has demonstrated its responsibility for climate action with its achievements.
From November 30 to December 1, Ding Xuexiang, Special Representative of President Xi Jinping, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered a speech at the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai. Ding Xuexiang pointed out that eight years ago, President Xi Jinping and other leaders of other countries reached the Paris Agreement with the greatest political determination and wisdom, starting a new journey of global cooperation to address climate change. China has always kept its promises and made important contributions to global climate governance. We vigorously promote green development. In 2022, CO2 emissions intensity decreased by more than 51% compared to 2005. The production and sales of new energy vehicles rank first in the world, with more than 18 million units, accounting for more than half of the world's total. We are deepening the energy revolution. The proportion of non-fossil energy installed capacity increased to 50.9%. The construction of new coal-fired power plants outside the country has been completely stopped, and 50% of the world's wind power and 80% of the world's photovoltaic equipment have been supplied. We actively promote international cooperation on climate change. More than 1.2 billion yuan has been allocated for South-South cooperation on climate change to support developing countries in enhancing their capacity to cope with climate change.
On behalf of China, Ding Xuexiang put forward three suggestions: First, practice multilateralism, adhere to the goals and principles set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Second, we need to accelerate the green transition, actively increase the proportion of renewable energy, promote the clean, low-carbon and efficient use of traditional energy, and accelerate the formation of green and low-carbon production methods and lifestyles. Third, we need to strengthen implementation and fully fulfill our commitments, especially developed countries should earnestly increase financial, technological and capacity-building support for developing countries, so as to turn the vision of action into reality.
Fully respond to the concerns of developing countries
On December 2, the COP28 High-level Meeting on Global Stocktaking and Mitigation was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
Huang Runqiu said that the frequent occurrence of climate disasters in recent years has further strengthened the global consensus on climate action. In terms of emission reduction actions, the Paris Agreement has greatly promoted the global low-carbon transition, and all parties have committed to limiting global temperature rise to the target range of the agreement, but the real gap lies in the implementation of commitments. The first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement must address the huge gaps in ambition and implementation by 2020, take stock of progress in all areas, and submit responsible responses for the future.
Huang Runqiu said that the global stocktake must uphold and implement the Paris Agreement, especially the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the autonomy of national contributions, affirm the efforts made by all parties and the positive results of the implementation of the agreement, and send a clear signal of solidarity and cooperation and focus on implementation. At the same time, it is necessary to safeguard the right to development of developing countries, promote a green and just transition under the framework of sustainable development and poverty reduction, and promote climate response in a holistic manner. The ambition for action should be based on the national conditions of each country from different starting points, strengthen international cooperation, and support developing countries in implementing the Convention.
大会期间，黄润秋会见《联合国气候变化框架公约》秘书处执行秘书西蒙·斯蒂尔时强调，会议应重点解决发展中国家在适应气候变化和获取资金、技术、能力建设方面的关切，推动国际社会特别是发达国家在减缓雄心和支持行动方面达成有意义的平衡。中方作为《公约》及其《巴黎协定》的坚定维护者和践行者，高度重视维护有关法律体系的完整性，期待会议践行真正的多边主义，开展聚焦落实的全球盘点，Fully respond to the concerns of developing countries，务实推进公正绿色转型，团结合作应对气候变化。
Practicing multilateralism and strengthening implementation actions
On December 3, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the Accelerated Agenda for Climate Change, calling on governments and non-state actors to radically accelerate efforts to reduce emissions. The transition plan must include five key elements: First, the plan must cover all activities and run through every link in the value chain. True decarbonization cannot be replaced by dubious offsets or carbon credits. Second, the plan must detail targets for 2025, 2030 and 2035. These plans must be aligned with the science-based approach to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Third, the plan must disclose all lobbying, policy engagement, and communications activities. Fourth, the plan must highlight efforts to change business models and internal operations to phase out fossil fuels. Fifth, the plan must work towards a just, equitable and accelerated renewable energy transition.
China is taking action to help the green transition
On December 2, nearly 120 countries, including China and the United States, signed the Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Pledge to triple the global renewable energy and double energy efficiency by 2030. AFP pointed out that this commitment undoubtedly sends a signal to all walks of life to "accelerate the global green transition".
Guterres announced that a group will be formed that aims to ensure that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is just and sustainable and benefits all countries. He stressed that the transition to renewable energy requires a large amount of metals and minerals, and that access to these minerals is critical to achieving the goals set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.
COP28 President Sultan Jaber said he would continue to call on more countries to join the Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Pledge as soon as possible, "which will help the world shift coal-fired power generation using carbon capture technology to a greener way to reduce emissions."
Scaling up the use of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources is critical to achieving the global goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. According to the data of the National Energy Administration, China has taken multiple measures to promote the high-quality development of renewable energy. As of the end of October, the installed scale of renewable energy power generation in the country reached a new high, exceeding 1.4 billion kilowatts, reaching 1.404 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 20.8%, accounting for about 49.9% of the country's total installed power generation capacity, including 420 million kilowatts of hydropower (370 million kilowatts of conventional hydropower and 50.04 million kilowatts of pumped storage), 404 million kilowatts of wind power, 536 million kilowatts of photovoltaic power generation, and 44 million kilowatts of biomass power generation. It is estimated that by the end of the year, the installed capacity of renewable energy power generation in China will exceed 1.45 billion kilowatts, and the installed capacity of wind power and photovoltaic power generation will exceed 1 billion kilowatts.
