China seeks better co-operation with Europe on sustainability
China is looking to strengthen collaboration with European nations in key areas of energy transition, including decarbonization of power generation, renewable energies and sustainable recycling to support global green development, according to a new report.
Jointly released by the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) and the Beijing office of Greenpeace, the report also underscored the rapid pace of global energy transition and technological advancements, with an emphasis on the growing significance of the clean energy sector as a focal point for co-operation between China and the European Union.
The report said clean energy cooperation between China and the EU was already notable in the areas of technological innovation and industry standards development. The collaboration is not only motivated by policy incentives but also by shared interests in energy security and the promotion of renewable technologies, it noted.
“China and Europe exhibit substantial complementarity for cooperation in the realm of clean energy. This synergy is not only reflected in high-level coordination mechanisms but also tangible outcomes of their collaborative projects. Going forward, their increased support for decarbonization in the power sector and the advancement of green supply chains will be pivotal in driving the achievement of global climate objectives,” said Yu Hongyuan, director of public policy and innovation studies at the SIIS.
The report pointed out that despite the progress in global climate negotiations, challenges persist in energy transition. While investments in clean energy have surged, there remains a risk of insufficient progress toward meeting the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, which aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2C.
Zheng Ying, a researcher at the China Society of Automotive Engineers, points out the ambitious targets set by the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, aiming for a renewable energy consumption rate exceeding 42.5% and potentially reaching 45% by 2030.
In 2022, the share of renewables in EU energy consumption was 23%, said the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm.
Zheng said: “This necessitates a strong consumption capacity of renewables to support the development goal. Advancing the electric vehicle industry is an important way to achieve the goal and the EU is currently promoting EVs, which requires further adjustments for electricity market regulations.
“Further China-Europe collaboration requires more shared benefits. If Chinese enterprises, while exporting globally, can allow European companies or even the EU to share in these benefits, then from the EU's perspective, there would be greater consideration of aligning its development goals with its industrial support objectives,” he added
Beijing looks to become global green economy hub
Beijing’s authorities aim to establish itself as a global green economy hub by 2035, with a focus on technological innovation, industrial development and sustainable urban planning.
The first phase of the plan, set for completion by 2027, would see a 10% annual growth in the city’s green technology patents, improved urban green infrastructure and establish deeper regional and international cooperation in the green economy.
Yang Xiuling, director of the Beijing municipal development and reform commission, outlined the city’s efforts to accelerate the construction of an international benchmark city for green economy at the recent fifth Beijing Municipal Administrative Center Green Development Forum.
Yang said Beijing has pursued a green development strategy for many years, achieving a 50% decrease in carbon emission intensity over the past decade via pollution control measures and carbon neutrality initiatives.
“Beijing boasts rich resources in green technology, robust financial backing and a strong foundation in green professional services, providing a conducive environment for green economy development,” Yang said.
To achieve the 2035 goal, the city plans to accelerate the construction of a global benchmark city for green economy in Beijing, including fostering innovation in green technologies such as hydrogen energy, synthetic biology and solid oxide fuel cells.
