COP29 focus: China plays a leading role in global climate governance

From November 11 to 22, 2024, the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. As one of the world’s major economies and the largest developing country with a population of over 1.4 billion, China’s stance and actions in addressing climate change have attracted global attention. At this conference, China won wide acclaim from the international community with its firm and powerful voice and pragmatic and effective actions, and also demonstrated its image as a responsible major country with its outstanding contributions.

A firm and powerful voice of China

COP29 will set the new collective quantitative target for global climate financing (NCQG) as one of the core issues, highlighting the international community’s urgent expectations for developed countries to fulfill their financial commitments and help developing countries jointly address the challenges of climate change. At the opening ceremony of the conference, UN Secretary-General Guterres pointed out that by 2030, the gap between the needs and funds for adapting to climate change may reach $359 billion per year, and emphasized that it is more important than ever to fulfill the financial commitments.

In the 2024 Annual Report on China’s Policies and Actions to Address Climate Change, released by China on the eve of COP29, it is clearly stated that the core concern of developing countries at present is the support of climate finance and other implementation measures, which is also the foundation for achieving climate ambition and maintaining multilateral mutual trust. China has always stressed the importance of the principles of “common but differentiated responsibilities”, equity and respective capabilities, and has taken concrete actions to fulfill its climate commitments.

Pragmatic and effective Chinese actions

China’s actions in supporting other developing countries to cope with climate change are pragmatic and effective. Data show that by the end of June 2024, China has signed more than 50 South-South cooperation documents on climate change with 42 developing countries, and carried out a series of assistance and exchanges to support developing countries in enhancing their ability to cope with climate change. Since 2016, China has provided and mobilized more than 177 billion yuan in project funds, which has effectively supported climate action in other developing countries.

China not only provides financial support, but also helps developing countries cope with climate change through technology and experience sharing. The Chinese delegation set up a “China Corner” during COP29 to introduce the “China experience” in addressing climate change to the international community. The events held in the “China Corner” included “Ecological Civilization and Beautiful China Practice”, “China’s Energy Transition and New Energy Development”, “China’s Carbon Market Innovation and Management Practice”, etc., which attracted a large number of participants from developing countries.

China’s experience in green development and technological innovation has been widely recognized on the international stage. Former UN Deputy Secretary-General Erik Solheim said during the conference that China is now an indispensable country in the global efforts to address climate change, and the green development of the world cannot be separated from China. He particularly mentioned China’s outstanding contributions in the fields of green economy such as solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, batteries, and electric vehicles.

Shining Chinese teenagers

It is noteworthy that at the COP29 conference, three young representatives from China, Wu Ziqi, Lainado, and Lenore, with an average age of less than 10 years old, also demonstrated the climate leadership of Chinese teenagers. They walked onto the rostrum, put forward their own opinions and propositions to the UN coordinator, and actively participated in high-level dialogues and exchanges. The three teenagers’ proposed solutions to climate change, such as using AI technology to build a green energy system for gyms, designing AI-tracked carbon footprint games, and recycling and redesigning projects for used clothing, fully demonstrate their innovative thinking and practical abilities.

The three teenagers also had in-depth exchanges with representatives of important UN agencies, leaders of various countries, and elites from all walks of life, and independently planned and organized the “Lighting up the Arctic Ocean” international conference, calling on all sectors of the world to pay attention to the polar climate change. Their performance won the high attention and recognition of the people present, showing the unique role and important contribution of Chinese teenagers in global climate action.

China’s firm stance and pragmatic actions at the COP29 once again proved its leading position in global climate governance. In the future, China will continue to adhere to the concept of green development, actively fulfill its international commitments, and make greater contributions to the global response to climate change. At the same time, China will continue to promote cooperation with developing countries, share experience and technology, and jointly cope with the challenges brought by climate change.

As Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, said, climate change has no nationality, and cooperation to address climate change is not divided by national boundaries. Facing the increasingly severe challenges of climate change, the international community needs to work together to cope with it. China will inject new impetus and vitality into global climate governance with a more open attitude and pragmatic actions.