China's sustainable growth aids worldwide efforts to combat climate change
China's commitment to green development plays a significant role in global climate action efforts. The country has been actively working on sustainable practices, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting renewable energy sources, thereby influencing international climate strategies and initiatives. Through these endeavors, China aims to align its growth with environmental sustainability, showcasing its dedication to combating climate change on a global scale.
TroibNews 
In recent years, the world has experienced unprecedented heatwaves, underscoring that global warming is no longer just a future concern but a present challenge.
Amid these environmental shifts, China has distinguished itself through its strong commitment to green development, emerging as a leader in the global transition to renewable energy and offering a hopeful example in the struggle against climate change.
The country is making significant strides toward its goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Recent reports provided to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change reveal that China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP fell by 50.9 percent in 2021 compared to 2005, the year used as a baseline for the nation’s climate contributions.
China’s commitment to a greener future is evident in its forest coverage, which reached 25 percent by 2023, with forest stock surpassing 20 billion cubic meters. The annual carbon-sink capacity of China's forests and grasslands now exceeds 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents, making it the leader globally.
The expansion of renewable energy in China is also making headlines, with more than 200 million kilowatts of new renewable energy capacity installed in the first three quarters of 2024, which represents over 80 percent of the total new capacity added. According to the World Energy Outlook 2024, the country contributed to 60 percent of the global increase in renewable capacity in 2023.
Electricity generated from clean energy sources constituted 39.7 percent of China’s total power generation in 2023, reflecting an increase of around 15 percentage points since 2013, as reported in the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" issued in 2024.
In terms of energy intensity reduction, China has achieved a decrease of 26 percent since 2012. The nation has also dominated the global market for new energy vehicle production and sales for a decade.
Benefitting from its domestic successes, China is actively supporting other nations in achieving sustainable growth and enhancing resilience to climate change.
For years, the country has assisted in developing clean energy and environmental protection projects in various developing nations.
An example of this is the China-Ethiopia-Sri Lanka Renewable Energy Technology Transfer Project, which has installed 11 green energy solutions across 12 demonstration sites, benefiting more than 50,000 people across Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. The project is projected to produce at least 70,000 kWh of energy, thereby saving approximately 157,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Moreover, clean energy initiatives with Chinese investment have also been realized in Kazakhstan and Mali. The Zhanatas Wind Farm in Kazakhstan generates 350 million kWh of clean electricity each year, equivalent to the reduction of 109,500 tonnes of standard coal and a decrease of 289,000 tonnes in carbon emissions annually.
Since its launch in 2022, the Gouina Hydropower Station in Mali has redefined West Africa's energy sector. It generates 687 million kWh annually, providing power to approximately 1 million people in Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania, while displacing 240,000 tonnes of coal and decreasing carbon emissions by 630,000 tonnes each year.
China possesses the largest and most comprehensive new-energy industrial chain globally, representing 70 percent of the world’s photovoltaic components and 60 percent of wind power equipment. In 2023 alone, exports of wind and photovoltaic products from China contributed to a reduction of 810 million tonnes of carbon emissions in the recipient countries.
Regardless of the changes in the international landscape, China's commitment to proactive climate response remains steadfast.
The nation was one of the initial parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and among the first to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement.
From 2016 to 2023, China provided roughly $24.5 billion in climate-related funding to support developing nations.
China has consistently promoted a fairer global climate governance system. As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN Environment Programme to create a green Belt and Road from 2017 to 2022, launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development in collaboration with 31 countries, and formed the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition with over 150 partners across more than 40 countries.
By October 2024, China had signed 53 agreements on South-South cooperation addressing climate change with 42 developing nations, implementing nearly 100 projects focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation. The country also initiated over 300 capacity-building programs related to climate issues, providing training for more than 10,000 individuals from over 120 developing countries.
With climate change and green development identified as key pillars, China's Global Development Initiative has garnered increased support from many countries globally. It has launched over 1,100 projects across more than 30 cooperation platforms, addressing all 17 of the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Amid these environmental shifts, China has distinguished itself through its strong commitment to green development, emerging as a leader in the global transition to renewable energy and offering a hopeful example in the struggle against climate change.
The country is making significant strides toward its goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Recent reports provided to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change reveal that China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP fell by 50.9 percent in 2021 compared to 2005, the year used as a baseline for the nation’s climate contributions.
China’s commitment to a greener future is evident in its forest coverage, which reached 25 percent by 2023, with forest stock surpassing 20 billion cubic meters. The annual carbon-sink capacity of China's forests and grasslands now exceeds 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents, making it the leader globally.
The expansion of renewable energy in China is also making headlines, with more than 200 million kilowatts of new renewable energy capacity installed in the first three quarters of 2024, which represents over 80 percent of the total new capacity added. According to the World Energy Outlook 2024, the country contributed to 60 percent of the global increase in renewable capacity in 2023.
Electricity generated from clean energy sources constituted 39.7 percent of China’s total power generation in 2023, reflecting an increase of around 15 percentage points since 2013, as reported in the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" issued in 2024.
In terms of energy intensity reduction, China has achieved a decrease of 26 percent since 2012. The nation has also dominated the global market for new energy vehicle production and sales for a decade.
Benefitting from its domestic successes, China is actively supporting other nations in achieving sustainable growth and enhancing resilience to climate change.
For years, the country has assisted in developing clean energy and environmental protection projects in various developing nations.
An example of this is the China-Ethiopia-Sri Lanka Renewable Energy Technology Transfer Project, which has installed 11 green energy solutions across 12 demonstration sites, benefiting more than 50,000 people across Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. The project is projected to produce at least 70,000 kWh of energy, thereby saving approximately 157,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Moreover, clean energy initiatives with Chinese investment have also been realized in Kazakhstan and Mali. The Zhanatas Wind Farm in Kazakhstan generates 350 million kWh of clean electricity each year, equivalent to the reduction of 109,500 tonnes of standard coal and a decrease of 289,000 tonnes in carbon emissions annually.
Since its launch in 2022, the Gouina Hydropower Station in Mali has redefined West Africa's energy sector. It generates 687 million kWh annually, providing power to approximately 1 million people in Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania, while displacing 240,000 tonnes of coal and decreasing carbon emissions by 630,000 tonnes each year.
China possesses the largest and most comprehensive new-energy industrial chain globally, representing 70 percent of the world’s photovoltaic components and 60 percent of wind power equipment. In 2023 alone, exports of wind and photovoltaic products from China contributed to a reduction of 810 million tonnes of carbon emissions in the recipient countries.
Regardless of the changes in the international landscape, China's commitment to proactive climate response remains steadfast.
The nation was one of the initial parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and among the first to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement.
From 2016 to 2023, China provided roughly $24.5 billion in climate-related funding to support developing nations.
China has consistently promoted a fairer global climate governance system. As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN Environment Programme to create a green Belt and Road from 2017 to 2022, launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development in collaboration with 31 countries, and formed the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition with over 150 partners across more than 40 countries.
By October 2024, China had signed 53 agreements on South-South cooperation addressing climate change with 42 developing nations, implementing nearly 100 projects focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation. The country also initiated over 300 capacity-building programs related to climate issues, providing training for more than 10,000 individuals from over 120 developing countries.
With climate change and green development identified as key pillars, China's Global Development Initiative has garnered increased support from many countries globally. It has launched over 1,100 projects across more than 30 cooperation platforms, addressing all 17 of the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
