China's actions, commitment to raise global ambition on climate change

BEIJING -- On the fifth anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement, China made new proposals and commitments to accelerate the dynamic of ambitious global climate actions.

Speaking at the virtual Climate Ambition Summit on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged countries to close ranks and make new advances in climate governance that feature cooperation and win-win.

He also called on the international community to increase ambitions and foster a new architecture of climate governance where every party does its part, boost confidence and pursue a new approach to climate governance that highlights green recovery.

Xi's proposals demonstrate China's determination and wisdom to seek sustainable development with a vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

As an important contributor to adopting the Paris Agreement, and an active participator in implementing it, China has the determination and ambition to tackle climate change.

In September, China announced that it will peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

At Saturday's summit, China made further commitments that will lower its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by over 65 percent from the 2005 level, and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25 percent. It will also increase the 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 new commitments testify to China's firm belief in green development. In recent years, China has accelerated top-level design and institution-building for the promotion of ecological civilization. In his speech, Xi reaffirmed that China, guided by its new development philosophy, will promote greener economic and social development in all respects while pursuing high-quality development.

China always honors its commitments, Xi said.

China completed its 2020 climate action targets two years ahead of schedule, enjoys the second largest carbon trading market in the world, and more than half of the world's electric car market, and contributed to a quarter of the increase in the global green leaf area since 2000.

"Almost all of China's climate and energy targets in recent years have been met or exceeded," said Joanna Lewis, a professor of science, technology and international affairs at Georgetown University.

The foresight of China's new proposals at the summit lies in the country's sincerity to build a clean and beautiful world with global partners. Over the years, China has been a champion of multilateralism, and upholds the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities on climate change.

China has set up a China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund to help developing countries tackle climate change, and is pushing for jointly building a Silk Road of Green Development.

While striving for green and low-carbon development at home, China has actively promoted international cooperation on climate change, and has continued to play an important and constructive role in global climate governance.

To achieve ambitious climate change goals on Earth, the only and shared home of mankind, continuous and robust efforts from all parties are needed. China stands ready to join forces with other countries to consolidate global environmental governance, explore green recovery in a post-pandemic world, and launch more global climate actions.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of Qiushi Journal.