BEIJING, Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Right after the conclusion of
the Paris Olympics, a US media outlet voiced concern that "by 2050
most of the world will be too hot to hold the Olympic Games." With
rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, the
idea that future Summer Olympics might only be held in the southern
hemisphere's winter no longer seems far-fetched. In response to
these challenges facing human survival, the world is seeking
solutions, and China's latest
proposal is "green transition in all areas of economic and social
development."
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China (CPC)
proposed a series of goals to further deepen reforms
comprehensively, including accelerating a comprehensive green
transition in all economic and social sectors. Recently, the CPC
Central Committee and the State Council have unveiled a set of
guidelines to ramp up green transition in all areas of economic and
social development (hereinafter referred to as the "guidelines").
It marks China's first systematic
national approach to green transition. As the world's
second-largest economy with a population of over 1.4 billion,
China has proactively proposed
this comprehensive green transition after setting "dual carbon"
goals. Amid global setbacks in green transformation, increasing
politicization of climate issues, and rising green trade barriers,
China is providing a crucial piece
for the fragmented Blue Planet.
To address climate change, China committed in 2020 to peak carbon
emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Four years
have passed, and the progress has been remarkable. As of the end of
June 2024, the installed capacity of
renewable energy reached 1.653 billion kW, accounting for 53.8
percent of the country's total installed capacity. China's combined installed capacity of wind
and solar power has surpassed that of its coal power for the first
time. Recent international reports highlight China's leading position in wind turbine
patent competitiveness. An International Energy Agency report,
"Renewables 2023," pointed out that in 2023, China commissioned as much solar PV as the
entire world did in 2022. China is
steadily fulfilling its commitments to both itself and the world
according to its own timeline.
The recently issued guidelines provide a clear timetable,
roadmap, and blueprint for green transition, making the development
path for "Beautiful China" more specific and comprehensive. For
instance, it proposes creating green development hubs in regions
such as Xiong'an New Area, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,
and the Yangtze River Delta. The plan also aims to integrate green
industries with artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing,
and industrial internet to promote digital and green coordinated
transition. Additionally, it outlines a systematic approach to
"green consumption" by addressing the roles of government,
businesses, and consumers. The guidelines have outlined a blueprint
for China's green transformation
from both the supply side and the demand side. It will also promote
China to play a greater role in
the global green industry chain.
Among the current achievements of China's comprehensive green transition,
"building the world's largest and most complete new energy industry
chain" is something to be proud of. At the same time, China's "new three items" have gone global,
earning praise from consumers for their good quality and affordable
prices. It is China's own
technological innovation and complete industrial chain system that
have provided affordable green transformation solutions for the
world, making new energy more accessible.
Regardless of the quality and service of new
energy products in European countries and America, their high costs
are not suitable for the new energy transformation structure of the
vast number of developing countries. In this situation, Chinese
products meet the demands of developing countries' green
transformation, providing greater opportunities for deep
cooperation among "Global South" countries.
Between 2018 and 2023, annual net additions of renewable
capacity grew by a compound annual rate of 10 percent globally, but
only by 5 percent in Africa. For
"Global South" countries, including African countries, the
fundamental issue is not the "overcapacity" issue hyped to create
green barriers, but the lack of capacity or technology to address
climate change and meet green transformation. Data shows that in
2023, China's exports of new
energy vehicles to Africa
increased by 291 percent compared to the previous year.
In recent years, China's
affordable and high-quality clean energy products have not only
provided Africa with the
opportunity to keep up with developed countries in green
transformation, but also helped children in remote villages there
to meet their need for studying under electric lights. Cooperation
between China's green industry and
"Global South" countries can achieve win-win results, while also
protecting people's livelihoods.
As clearly stated at the beginning of the guidelines, promoting
the green and low-carbon development in the economy and society is
an important symbol of the new era's new concept and practice of
party and state governance. This includes "participating in and
leading the global green transformation process." As a strong
engine and power source of the global green transformation,
China's systematic and firm
planning and actions for green transformation will further
strengthen the confidence of other developing countries in
achieving the dual goals of industrialization and economic
growth.
It is believed that other countries will also
realize that China's exploration
and firm practice in green transition have positive significance.
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SOURCE Global Times