BY ZHAO ZHIYUAN, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia
Amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism and unilateralism and severe challenges in climate change, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently elaborated on China’s vision on global climate governance in a video speech at the Climate Ambition Summit in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
In response to questions as how to maintain economic development while addressing climate change and achieving green recovery, President Xi made three proposals, namely, to close ranks and make new advances in climate governance that features cooperation and win-win, to raise ambition and foster a new architecture of climate governance where every party does its part, and to boost confidence and pursue a new approach to climate governance that highlights green recovery.
President Xi announced four new measures to scale up China’s contribution: China will lower its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by over 65 percent from the 2005 level, increase the share of non-
fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25 percent, increase forest stock volume by 6 billion cubic meters from the 2005 level, and bring its total installed capacity of wind and solar power to over 1.2 billion kilowatts.
The COVID-19 outbreak makes the international community understand better the necessity and urgency of a harmonious coexistence with nature. Amid the onslaught of the pandemic and rising unilateralism, the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and green recovery after the pandemic have become the top priority and common challenge for the international community.
This is another major policy announcement after President Xi pledged China’s peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060, a roadmap for the peaking of CO2 emissions, demonstrating China’s resolve in addressing climate change. Such a policy will guide the sustained improvement of global climate governance.
China always honors its commitments. We have already attained and exceeded 2020 climate action targets ahead of schedule.
China’s investment in renewable energy is larger than any other country and the new energy vehicle stock is more than half the world’s total. As the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China pointed out, green, low-carbon development should be further promoted, specific measures like the action plan to peak carbon dioxide emissions, and market-based carbon emissions trade should be implemented.
In the future, we will accelerate to build an Ecological Civilization. Guided by our new development philosophy, we will promote greener economic and social development in all aspects while pursuing high-quality development, and contribute even more to tackling the global climate challenge.
As a big country in Africa, Ethiopia has taken bold leadership on climate action by launching its ambitious climate resilient green economy strategy that aspires to build a carbon neutral and resilient economy by 2030. As part of the commitment to the Paris Agreement, Ethiopia has also launched an ambitious 15-year plan aiming at reducing its vulnerability to the
adverse impacts of climate change. Prime Minister Abiy also launched the Green Legacy national flagship initiative in 2019 with the objective of planting 20 billion seedlings within four years, a grand vision we all have been witnessing.
The year of 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of China-Ethiopia diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, practical cooperation between China and Ethiopia has reached fruitful achievements. China has been actively supporting Ethiopia’s fight against challenges brought by climate change, such as food shortage, to the best of our capability.
As a close friend and a strategic partner, China is willing to jointly tackle the global challenge of climate change with Ethiopia, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and ushering in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
The Ethiopia Herald December 20/2020
