On the afternoon of November 11, local time, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) officially kicked off in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Experts and dignitaries from all over the world gathered together to discuss the global climate crisis. What is China's role in tackling global climate change and promoting green development in the world? On the same day, a reporter from China News Service interviewed Eric Solheim, former UN Under-Secretary-General and senior adviser to the World Resources Institute.
Solheim said that China has been effective in environmental governance, and now it can be called a big country in green technology.
Erik Solheim, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Senior Advisor to the World Resources Institute, and Co-Chair of the EU Asia Centre
China has already won a big victory in the pollution war. You see the sun, the sky is blue, and the air is fresh. This is happening all over China, and the air and water are being purified. So it's a remarkable development that pushes China from the back seat of global environmental development to the front seat. China is now a big country in green technology. More than 60% solar, wind, hydropower, electric vehicles, no matter what you focus on, China is now the global leader. Therefore, China's huge contribution is indispensable for the green transformation of the planet.
Solheim believes that China can share its environmental governance practices with the world.
Erik Solheim, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Senior Advisor to the World Resources Institute, and Co-Chair of the EU Asia Centre
Chinese companies, solar, wind or electric vehicles can invest in this (overseas) market, create jobs and contribute to the green transition. China can share (green) technology. China now has the world's largest national park system and is by far the world's largest tree planter.
Solheim stressed that China's rise is the world's most important development case in the past 40 years, and that "decoupling" from China will make the world poorer and generate more conflicts. He believes that the EU should also cooperate and compete more with China to promote the EU's green transition goals.
Erik Solheim, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Senior Advisor to the World Resources Institute, and Co-Chair of the EU Asia Centre
Without Chinese companies, we cannot achieve a solid transformation in Europe. We need Chinese companies to set targets for new energy vehicles and petrochemicals, and European companies need to be more competitive.
Because China is now a world leader in every green field, a leader in green energy, a leader in green transportation, a very leader in planting trees in national parks and other green technologies. However, some people, especially in Europe and North America, are not aware of this because they are still confident and find it difficult to realize it. But they will basically understand this and ask for help from China.
Reporter Pang Wuji, Peng Dawei, He Xianjin, Wen Mengxin reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Editor in charge: [Lu Yan]