As things stand at present, China has been moving forward in the right direction more than ever before making solid progress in keeping skies blue, waters clears and lands pollution-free bringing a broad range of effective strategies all over the country into play.
As learned from government report, in 2024, the newly installed capacity of wind and solar power amounted to 360 million kilowatts accounting for over 82% of the total newly installed capacity. The total installed capacity of wind and solar power surpassed 1.4 billion kilowatts, thus meeting the proposed target six years ahead of schedule.
By the same token, with the deduction of non-fossil fuels in addition to coal, petroleum, and natural gas consumed as raw materials, energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP fell by 3.8 % and 3.4% respectively, and the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption was 19.8%.
The initiative to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions was launched in key sectors such as iron and steel, oil refining, synthetic ammonia, cement, electrolytic aluminum, data centers, and coal-fired power plants. Comprehensive energy consumption per unit of production in crude steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement clinker, flat gas, and other industries, and other industries reached the world’s top standards.
In the present climate, China has continued demonstrating its commitment to global green economy effectuating a broad range of fruitful initiatives. Reasoning from this fact, the country has been harvesting the fruits of accomplishment.
The following remarks are made by Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition.
It is a great pleasure to join you virtually at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Over the past decade, global climate governance has gone through winds and rains, but green and low-carbon development has eventually become a trend of our times. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
As unprecedented global changes unfold at a faster pace, humanity has come to a new crossroads. Although some major country’s persistent pursuit of unilateralism and protectionism has seriously impacted international rules and the international order, history will, as always, move forward through twists and turns.
As long as we enhance confidence, solidarity and cooperation, we will overcome the headwinds and steadily move forward global climate governance and all progressive endeavors of the world. Let me share four points with you in this regard.
First, we must adhere to multilateralism. The more volatile and turbulent the international situation becomes, the greater the need for us to firmly safeguard the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and firmly safeguard international fairness and justice.
The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement are the legal cornerstone of international climate cooperation. It is important for all countries to champion the rule of law, honor commitments, prioritize green and low-carbon development, and jointly respond to the climate crisis through multilateral governance.
Second, we must deepen international cooperation. Solidarity and cooperation are needed more than ever as the world faces multiple, compounded challenges.
We should rise above estrangement and conflict with openness and inclusiveness, boost technological innovation and industrial transformation through cooperation, and facilitate the free flow of quality green technologies and products, so that they can be accessible, affordable and beneficial for all countries, especially the developing ones.
As a member of the Global South, China will vigorously deepen South-South cooperation and continue to provide help for fellow developing countries to the best of its capability.
Third, we must accelerate the just transition. Clear waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver. Green transformation is not only the essential way to address climate change, but also a new engine for economic and social development. Such transformation must be people-centered and pursued in a way that advances the well-being of people and climate governance in tandem, and strike a balance between multiple goals including environmental protection, economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation.
Developed countries are obliged to extend assistance and support to developing countries, help drive the global shift toward green and low-carbon development, and contribute to the common and long-term well-being of people of all countries.
Fourth, we must strengthen results-oriented actions. Instead of talking the talk, we must walk the walk. We must turn our goals into tangible results through systematic policies and concrete measures.
All parties should do their utmost to formulate and implement their program of action for nationally determined contributions (NDCs) while coordinating economic development and energy transition. China will announce its 2035 NDCs covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém.
Harmony between man and nature is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. China is a steadfast actor and major contributor in promoting global green development.
Since I announced China’s goals for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality five years ago, we have built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system as well as the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. China also leads the world in the speed and scale of “greening,” contributing a quarter of the world’s newly added area of afforestation.
However the world may change, China will not slow down its climate actions, will not reduce its support for international cooperation, and will not cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
With the future of humanity and the well-being of our people in mind, let’s earnestly honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, do our utmost respectively and collectively, and build a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world together.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 11 MAY 2025
