Steven Guilbeault, International Executive Vice Chairperson of CCICED, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada,
XIE Zhenhua, Vice Chairperson of CCICED, China Special Envoy for Climate Change,
Colleagues and Friends.
We are here today to talk about how climate action in China can forge a path to green prosperity and ecological civilization – not just domestically, but globally. To talk about how action on climate change can triple up to deliver benefits across the other two global environmental crises: nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. And to talk about how this action is the best way to create energy security, food security, jobs, and so much more.
Indeed, in a 2022 report, the World Bank estimates that China already has an estimated 54 million “green jobs”. This will expand as the renewable sector continues to grow. So, I think we can all agree that “the future is green and renewable”.
Here, at the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), I take note that the recommendations that will emerge from this Annual General Meeting call on China to make green and low-carbon development its key driving force. This is a powerful and highly commendable pathway towards a green and renewable future. But, to paraphrase the warning on the side mirrors of cars, the future is closer than you think. This means we don’t have any time to waste in acting.
So, allow me to offer four points that will be critical to arriving successfully at the destination of green prosperity and ecological civilization.
First, accelerating energy transitions and renewable energy.
As noted yesterday in my opening speech, China leads the world in renewable energy. The CCICED policy paper notes that China will likely install more solar and wind power in 2023 alone than the entire renewable energy capacity of the European Union (EU) or the United States (U.S.). Estimates suggest as much as 200 GW of renewable power could be installed in 2024. This is astounding and very impressive.
At the same time, however, we have seen an increase in new fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity since 2021. The CCICED policy paper notes that while many older and inefficient coal plants have been retired, the net effect of recent approvals of new plants is an estimated 10 per cent rise in China’s coal generation – equivalent to 100 new plants.
In light of the faster-than-planned expansion of renewable energy, coupled with the forthcoming power market reforms, the CCICED policy paper recommends a review of recently approved coal-fired electricity generation, since newly installed renewables are on track to supplement the declining output from hydropower.
Equally, the shift to clean energy must come alongside energy efficiency, which can bring down emissions faster and avoid long-term grid overload. Energy efficiency improvements in China can be more than doubled with measures such as Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPs). Ambitious MEPs are in place in China for room air conditioners and electric motors; China can show global leadership by applying the same standards to export markets.
These are recommendations UNEP backs. Indeed, we recommend that all countries find ways to learn from and emulate China’s impressive roll-out of renewable energy. And UNEP recommends countries review their hydrocarbon-based energy sources with a view to phasing them out, because climate change is a clear and present threat to human, societal and economic health.
Two, back sustainable transport
The transition to zero emissions mobility is essential to meet climate targets and make our cities breathable again. China is playing a leadership role in the transition to electric mobility. China’s fleet is electrifying at record pace – not only light duty vehicles, but two wheelers, buses and trucks.
The CCICED recommends that China improve the policy package for promoting new energy vehicles: through incentives, new energy vehicle infrastructure and sales targets for heavy-duty vehicles. This is certainly something China should do. But many countries have just only started their transition. The Global South will add more than one billion vehicles to its fleet in the coming decades. We can’t afford these to be fossil fuel vehicles.
UNEP’s global electric mobility programme is supporting more than 50 developing countries. These countries are now developing programmes to switch to electric motorcycles, introducing electric bus fleets, and reforming taxation system to promote electric mobility. As well as accelerating its own transition to sustainable transport, I ask China to work closer with UNEP to support these countries.
Three. Focus on non-carbon greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Non-carbon GHG emissions are a substantial driver of climate change and have significant impacts on air quality and urban livability. So, reducing gases such as methane, hydrofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide is key.
We at UNEP are the proud hosts of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the International Methane Emissions Observatory. We are also hosting the support to the Global Methane Pledge. With an estimated 58.4 million tonnes of methane emitted in 2021 (as estimated by the IEA) this area represents a true opportunity for China. We at UNEP were honoured to be invited by China to provide policy recommendations to reduce GHGs for the 14th Five Year Plan (2021-2025). We are also aware that China has produced a draft National Methane Action Plan, which is currently pending the State Council approval.
So, there is a substantial opportunity to move forward on non-carbon GHGs, which would deliver early and relatively quick climate returns. UNEP considers this an area in which the CCICED can expand its work. China may also wish to consider joining the UNEP Climate and Clean Air Coalition, as well as the Global Methane Pledge, to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. This pledge has 150 countries signed up already. China might also consider joining the Global Cooling Pledge, an initiative supported by COP28 host, the UAE. China could even join these ahead of COP28.
And four, invest in nature, food system reforms and circularity to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) rapidly.
As we discussed in the open forum on the GBF, transformations are needed to deliver finance, rethink food systems, restore ecosystems and deliver across the whole framework. I will not repeat my points here. Suffice to say that investing in this area will bring massive positive benefits for the climate as well as for nature.
So, the CCICED’s recommendation for China to address climate change, biodiversity and food security in an integrated manner through land-use transformation is on the money. I look forward to working with the CCICED to help China deliver the necessary transformations.
Friends,
China’s leadership in these areas, and more, can be a game changer for green prosperity. As a major emitter, China can up its ambition and deliver stronger action on climate, nature and pollution. But global leadership from China can deliver even more. The CCICED’s workplan, taskforces and special policy studies for the next cycle will help to deliver this leadership. And we at UNEP, through the CCICED and other avenues, will be there to support every step of the way.
